Gary Allen, 58
Gary K. Allen, age 58, of Chariton, formerly Red Oak, passed away Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, after a brief illness.
Gary Kent Allen was born March 15, 1952 in Red Oak, Iowa the son of Kenneth and Anna (Alm) Allen.
He attended elementary school at Coburg and graduated from the Red Oak High School with the class of 1970. In 1974, Gary graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a B.S Degree in Agri-Business.
Gary started working with the State of Iowa as a Compliance Investigator in 1974 and has worked with the Iowa Board of Veterinarians and Animal Welfare.
He has lived most of his life in Lucas County. He was united in marriage to Frances Caquelin on Jan. 18, 1991 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
Gary was involved with the Jaycees in Chariton, where he lived. His hobbies included collecting old automobile memorabilia, old signs, and tokens. He enjoyed riding RAGBRAI, traveling, and helping with Boy Scouts. Gary’s family described him as genuine, caring, “always there”, respectful, resourceful, and noted that he always had a good sense of humor. Gary loved the outdoors and spent many hours at the family farm where he grew up.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Anna in 1999 and Kenneth in 2003 and his brother: Terry Allen in 1976.
Survivors include his wife: Frances Allen of Chariton; children: Kent Allen and wife Jessica of Ames; Katie Hoffman of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Caleb Allen of Chariton; grandson: Arrow Allen of Ames; sister: Janice Allen of Arvada, Colorado; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Alvin and Shirley Loehr of Moorland; brother-in-law: Steve Loehr and wife Julie of Calender; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2011 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel with Pastor Al Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 PM Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the family. There will also be a memorial service in Chariton, Iowa on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church at 205 S. Grand.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.