Gary LaVern Allen

March 23, 1944 – October 8, 2020

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, Gary LaVern Allen died Thursday, October 8, 2020. He was 76 years old.
Gary was born March 23, 1944, in Ajo, Arizona. He was the second of two sons born to Thelma Patten and Clarence Wilford Allen. Gary was a faithful life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Gary served, faithfully, in many organizations of the church, especially as a missionary in the Oakland California Mission, a senior missionary at the Mormon Handcart Historic Site in Wyoming, and in the Gilbert Arizona Temple.
Gary graduated from Arizona State University. He enjoyed a career of 29 years in Parks and Recreation for the City of Tempe before retiring and owning a Nielsen’s Frozen Custard shop.
Gary loved life, good jokes, good food, spending time with his family, sports and undoubtedly, Arizona State football.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Derrell Allen and daughter-in-law, Sera Allen. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Kathryn Allen, and his six children: Regina Allen; Cherisse (Jason) Frizzell; Ryan (Sera – deceased) Allen; Derek (Stacy) Allen; Alissa (Jacob “Ryan”) Bergen; Cory (McKenzie) Allen; and 23 grandchildren.
The viewing will be at 12:00pm, on Friday, October 16th, 2020 at the Greenfield Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at 3775 S. Greenfield Road in Gilbert, Arizona. The funeral service will then begin at 1:00pm. Interment will begin immediately following the funeral service at the Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home, at 2100 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona. Arrangements are being cared for by Mountain View Funeral Home of Mesa, Arizona.