Baker City, Oregon
Alford B. Allen, 75, of Baker City, died May 4, 2004, surrounded by loving family members at the home of his eldest son, John, in Kennewick, Wash., after a long battle with cancer.
At Al’s request, no official services will be held, but his ashes will be placed beside his loving wife Dora’s side at Mount Hope Cemetery on Saturday at 3 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
Al was born at Washington, Ind., on July 23, 1929; however, in 1945 he spent two weeks convincing the county clerk to change his birth records to indicate he was born in 1928 so that he could enlist during World War II.
While in the Navy, in addition to performing duties as an electrician’s mate, he was a member of a Navy boxing team and was known for his fierce left hook, winning all of his bouts by knockout.
Toward the end of his service he was stationed in Astoria, where he met Dora R. Long. They fell in love, were married, and moved to Baker City. They had three children, John, Mike, and Teresa.
Al lived in Baker for about 50 years. During that time, he had numerous jobs as a ranch hand, a logger, a truck driver, and a diesel mechanic. He was a hard worker and was well respected by those with whom he worked and was always ready to lend a hand when others needed help.
In recent years, he was a familiar sight riding a three wheeler and removing snow from sidewalks around his neighborhood along with long time friend Bill Pilcher.
He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, “Dodie”; his son, Mike; his parents; his brother, Jim, and sisters, Wilma and Shirley.
Al is survived by “his lady” and special friend Jan LeGrande; his son, John, and daughter-in-law, Lynne; grandchildren, Heidi and Travis; daughter, Teresa Watson and son-in-law, Wes, and granddaughter Britney, of Portland; his son Mike’s children, Michelle and Ryan; three brothers, Doug, George and Dan, all of Indiana, and his sister, Suzie, of Florida.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, which promotes cancer prevention and research, continuing the fight for a cancer cure.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 11, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor