Eugene B. Allen

Eugene (Gene) Burl Allen, Raymore, MO, formerly of Garden City, MO, passed away March 30, 2013 at the Foxwood Springs Assisted Living Facility at the age of 89 years, 8 days. He was born on March 21, 1924 to Ernest and Goldie Thurston Allen in Urich, MO.
Gene lived a short time in Weston, MO before moving to Garden City when he was 4-years-old. His father, Ernest, operated a barbershop in Garden City. He received his elementary and secondary schooling at Garden City School. He sang in the boys’ glee club and played on the basketball team. He also enjoyed playing baseball. After graduating in 1943, he entered the US Army and took his basic training in at Fort Sill, OK. He shipped out of New York in December, 1943 and landed in England where he prepared for the European Invasion. He was member of the 87th Armored Field Artillery, serving in the 1st Army from D-Day until the end of the war. He was discharged in November, 1945. He went to work for his uncle, Orville (Jug) Allen at his dry-cleaning shop in Garden City.
Gene was united in marriage Roberta Gilkeson on May 19, 1946, at the Garden City United Methodist Church. They established their home on Main Street in three rooms they rented from Mrs. Carrie Stowers. They later moved across the street in 1947 into a home they rented from Miss Ella McCulloh for $15 a month. Gene began working at General Motors in the fall of 1947. A son, Ernest Eugene, was born January 14, 1952, and a daughter, Barbara Jo, was born February 9, 1954. In 1955, they purchased a lot on the west side of Garden City. Gene, his step-father Frank May, and brother-in-law Joe Shepherd built the family home from a kit purchased from Montgomery Ward. Roberta could look out her kitchen window and see the farm where she was born. In May 29, 1961, daughter Laura Elizabeth (Beth) was born. They lived in this home until they moved to Foxwood Springs in the fall of 2011 due to Roberta’s declining health.
Gene was very active in the Garden City community. He served on the Garden City City Council at the time the city water system was installed. He was on the School Board that voted to merge the Garden City, Creighton, and Urich school districts to become the Sherwood School District. He served as part of the Marksmen Football Chain Gang for several years. He served on the Park Board and coached Little League Baseball. He was on the building committee that built the current United Methodist Church and served as treasurer. He was a member of Index Lodge 54 AF & AM.
Gene loved the outdoors. He loved to quail hunt, fish, and golf. He prided himself on his meticulous green lawn and his huge garden every summer. When the children where little, he would make Christmas magical with his outdoor Christmas decorations. Come fall, his true passion was the Missouri Tigers. He loved attending football games at Faurot Field. He and Roberta had season tickets until her health wouldn’t let her travel. Winters were spent watching Missouri Tigers basketball on TV. He passed this love on to his children and grandchildren.
In 1978, Eugene retired from General Motors after 32 years of service. After retirement, he never missed a tee time on Tuesdays at Southview Golf Course. Every spring he would pack up the station wagon and go to Bennett Springs to fly-fish. Summer trips to his sister LaVerne and Joe Shepherd’s cabin in Grand Lake, CO gave him the opportunity to fly-fish the pristine streams of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Gene loved attending his Army Reunions and stayed in touch with many he had served with. After Roberta’s retirement, they started Allen Tours, Inc. in 1992. They literally traveled the world. They were famous for their Christmas Branson tours that would sell-out every time. When they sold their business, they continued to travel—only this time it was to football and baseball games of grandson’s Bryon and Andrew.
Eugene was devoted to Roberta. They moved to Foxwood Springs Assisted living so they could stay together. When her mind failed and she was moved to the Foxwood Springs Clare Bridge Care Facility, he sat with her every day. After Roberta passed away, missing her greatly, he tried to fill the void by staying active.
On March 1, 2013 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He declined treatment spending the last few weeks surrounded by his friends and family.
Eugene is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Roberta of 66 years. Survivors include one son, Ernest (Ernie) and his wife Betty of Cleveland, OH; two daughters, Barbara and her husband Bruce of Ft. Worth, TX; and Laura (Beth) and husband, Mike of Harrisonville, MO; four grandsons, Matthew Williams, Bryon Cecil, Michael Allen; and Andrew Cecil; two granddaughters, Erica Morgan, and Michelle Allen; one sister, LaVerne Shepherd of Harrisonville, MO; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden Çity, Missouri.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, they family suggests contributions to the Roberta Allen Scholarship Fund or Crossroads Hospice.