Kenneth H. Allen, 75, of Wishkah Valley, died Nov. 8, 2017, at home with three generations of family by his side after a long battle with heart problems. Ken’s brother, Ralph Allen, stayed with Ken during the final weeks of his life, helping Ken’s sons provide loving care during his final days. Ken was born on May 25, 1942, in Delta, Colo. to Ralph (Dutch) and Velma Allen. The family moved west to Washington, residing in Wenatchee, Aberdeen, and eventually settling in the Wishkah Valley in 1949. Ken married Jeri L. Reames in 1959. Ken and Jeri built a home next door to Ken’s mom and dad and had four sons: Jon, David and twins Ronny and Ryan. Jeri preceded Ken in death in April 2017, after 58 years of marriage.
Ken and Jeri loved spending time with family and friends. They were avid campers, boaters, Elma Raceway fans, dune buggy enthusiasts and travelers. Their home was always open to friends and family, many of whom enjoyed the amazing meals that they hosted. Ken loved animals, always taking care of at least one dog and later in life, two horses that they adopted for Jeri. Ken worked as a logger for most of his life, starting at an early age with Johnson Brothers Logging of the Wishkah Valley. Ken loved working in the woods and was a skilled truck driver and could operate any shovel or heavy equipment he came into contact with. All of Ken’s sons worked with him at one time or another and he made many lifetime friends working at various companies in the logging industry. Dave (Oscar) Anderson, Don Entus, James (Okie) Thompson, Ron West, Steve Anderson, Gib Peterson Jr., Jim Peterson, and many others. Ken spent the last part of his career life as the Manager of Piston Service, his brother Frank’s Auto Parts House in Aberdeen.
Ken retired early with health problems but he managed to stay active and enjoy his life with Jeri and his family. He loved all of his grandchildren and the time he spent with them was one of the most important things in his life.
His wife Jeri, oldest sister, Edyth Stone Fritz, his parents and Jeri’s parents, preceded him in death. He is survived by his brothers: Harold (Eileen) Burruss, Frank Burruss, and Ralph Allen Jr. and sisters: Marie Laughead, Patricia (Stan) Anderson and sister-in-law Dona Burruss, brother-in-law Steve (Judy) Reames, and sister-in-law Laurel (Leonard) Lapacek, Ken’s sons, Jon (Tina) Allen, Dave (Tonya) Allen, Ryan Allen and Ronny Allen along with nine grandchildren: Chris, Robbie, Tyler, Kurtis, Bradley Kenneth, Jonathan, Zachary, Wesley and Mariah and three great-grandsons.
A celebration of life will be held at the Cosmopolis Lions Club on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, from 1-4 p.m.
