Gary Neal Allen

Gary Neal Allen was born on July 28, 1944, in Denver, Colorado. At the age of 3, he was adopted by a grateful, loving family and became the son of Whetsel and Wilda Allen, as well as a brother to two sisters, Laverne and Eva Ruth. He grew up on a farm in the Summit Ridge area, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Gary went to school in Dolores, graduating in 1962, then attended Ft Lewis College in Durango for 2 years.

In 1963, he married the love of his life, Lillian Lambert. They made their home on Summit Ridge, just across the highway from his childhood home. Over the years, they added three daughters to the family, followed by 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Gary worked hard to support his family. In addition to farming with his father, he worked several jobs, but his favorite job was as a salesman, selling both vehicles and farm equipment for different dealerships in the area. He always enjoyed meeting people and seeing the country in his sales territory.

Over the years, Gary was very active in serving his community. He was instrumental in starting the Summit Ridge Water District, bringing rural water to the area in 1987. He served on the Summit Ridge Cemetery District board for most of his adult life. He also sat on the Dolores FFA Advisory Committee, the Dolores Fire District board, and was an elder at Summit Lake Community Church for several years.

Gary passed away on June 13, 2025. He is survived by Lillian, his wife of almost 62 years, daughters Vicki (Vince) Shaffer and Rhonda (Shane) Thompson, 10 grandchildren, Justin (Savanna) Shaffer, Allen Shaffer, Patrick (Emma Claire) Thompson, AJ (Arianna) Shaffer, Emma Thompson, Colton Shaffer, Ellie (Konner) Bjornestad, Wyatt (Samantha) Shaffer, Becky Shaffer & Lynnlee Shaffer, and 7 great-grandchildren- Caroline, Timothy, Chase, Evangeline, Grayson, Cooper and Wesley, all of whom will miss him very much, but look forward to the time when they will see him again. He is also survived by his 2 sisters and a biological brother, Frank Meyers, with whom he had reconnected later in life. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Jonna.

Services will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2024, at 10:00 am at Summit Lake Community Church, followed by interment at the Summit Ridge Cemetery.