VALLEJO, Calif. — Ted deVries, a 40-year rental industry veteran died recently at his home in Vallejo, Calif. He was 81.

deVries purchased his first rental center, Vallejo Rent-All, Vallejo, Calif., in 1962. He remained active in the business, co-owned by his son Ken, until his death. Now known as All-Star Rents and headquartered in nearby Fairfield, the company now has nine locations and is listed on the RER 100 ranking of North America's largest rental firms.

deVries was active in local, state and national associations, serving on the board of directors of the California Rental Association for 31 years and the American Rental Association for three years.

deVries is survived by his wife Esther; four children Ken, Donald and Richard de Vries and Nancy Fregoso, and nine grandchildren.

Contributions may be made in de Vries' name to any charity or to CRA's Rental Industry Services Foundation.