Gary Dee Allen

Gary Dee Allen, 83, died January 8, 2019 in his home in McCall.  He was born on September 30, 1935 in Preston, Idaho.  He was the youngest of three children.  As a young boy he loved Lionel trains—a passion he enjoyed his entire life eventually filling the basement of his home with tracks, trains, villages, and a command center.  As a teenager he loved exploring and hunting in the deserts and mountains of southern Idaho.  After graduating from Preston High School and Stevens-Heneger Business College, he volunteered for the draft and served two years in the Army from 1956 to 1958 where he was stationed in Newfoundland.  Gary then attended Utah State University in Logan, UT where he graduated in 1962 with a degree in Forest Management.

 Gary married the love of his life, Reta Howell on August 12, 1960 in the Salt Lake City, UT temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  They enjoyed 58 beautiful years together filled with love and kindness. Together they had four children.  The family lived in Kamas, UT, Salt Lake City, UT, Twin Falls, ID and Kemmerer, WY before moving to McCall, ID in 1977.  Gary spent his career of 33 years working for the US Forest Service.  He retired in 1994 as the Acting Forest Supervisor on the Payette National Forest.

 Gary was a devoted and loving son, husband and father.  He especially enjoyed sharing his passions for riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles, and hunting with his children.  For many years, the family enjoyed an annual tradition of camping and deer hunting in his favorite boyhood hunting grounds near Albion, Idaho.  Later in life he cherished the 21-year tradition of traveling to Wyoming to hunt, shoot guns and create lasting memories with his sons and grandsons.   

Gary was always one for nostalgia.  He preferred taking the “old roads” and driving old, American-made cars slowly, savoring memories along the way.  All of his possessions were well cared for, maintained with love and enjoyed way beyond their intended years.  Even though Gary liked to keep a “low profile”, he was recognized by all as a man of character, depth, and strength, and he was an example to many.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Smith “Smitty” and Inez Madsen Allen and his brothers Warren and Winston.  He is survived by his wife Reta Howell Allen, sons: Brian Gary Allen (Susan) of Camas, WA, Kirk Ray Allen (Sheri) of Draper, UT, and Darrin Thomas Allen (Anne) of Meridian, ID, daughter: Valerie Inez Allen (Mike) of Portland, OR, and eight grandchildren: Sydney, Jayce, Kyle, Nick, Jake, Jenner, Logan and Emily.

Gary was well loved and will be missed tremendously.  A graveside service with military honors will be held in the McCall Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 19.  A memorial service will follow at 12 Noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 400 Elo Road in McCall. 

If desired, you may leave a note or condolences at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.

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