Terry Allen

**The family of Terry Lynn Allen kindly requests No Flowers. In lieu of flowers a donation be made to St. Martin of Tours Food Assistance Program (7710 EL Cajon Blvd. La Mesa, CA 91942)** Terry Lynn Allen, 73, of La Mesa passed away Saturday October 10, 2015 from complications related to a recent unexpected diagnosis of lung cancer, and was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. Terry was born October 10, 1942 to father Ralph Carlton Allen and mother Arvella Ruth Tade in Rockford, Illinois. After his family moved to Worthington Missouri, Terry and his siblings received their education in a one room school house. Terry graduated from Queen City High School, and then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. Later, while in California he earned his Masters of Education degree. After teaching in St. Louis he decided to answer the call "to move west, young man”, so off he went to San Diego to live with his Uncle Charlie and Aunt Suzie, as well as, close to where his brother Ralph Dean had relocated previously. While working as a Counselor at Camp Cuyamaca he was unexpectedly introduced to a shy Sixth Grade Teacher whom he immediately became smitten with, and after a six month whirlwind courtship married his bride of 47 years, Julia Zasueta. After a short time being married, together they had 2 children, Carmen Michelle and Michael Joseph. At a young age Terry developed a passion for reading books which he enjoyed throughout his entire life, along with a love for sports, playing baseball with his brother Ralph Dean and watching his beloved St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Chargers. He also found an interest in woodworking and built 2 pieces of furniture in his college years through woodshop. Later, after retirement he volunteered at the local library selling used books, as well as, volunteering at the food assistance program through his church. He also developed a love/hate relationship with the game of golf, and played weekly rounds with his brother in law Richard Zasueta, along with a round on the weekend with his “favorite boys”; son Michael and son in law Todd McNeely. Terry also continued his woodworking in his backyard making beautiful pen sets, clocks, cutting boards, bowls and much more. Terry also spent his retirement years growing bountiful crops in his garden. He would exchanging fruit, vegetables, tips and tricks with his daughter Carmen and enjoyed cooking for his granddaughter Sage, especially catfish. Throughout his life, Terry enriched young minds as a teacher and dedicated himself to being a loving devoted husband and father enjoying the time he spent with his family, and when life wasn’t to hectic, traveling across country with his wife Julia always placed his heart at ease. Terry was preceded in death by his father Ralph, mother Arvella and sister Marilyn Delameter. He is survived by his wife Julia, daughter Carmen, son in law Todd, granddaughter Sage, son Michael, daughter in law Sara, brother Ralph Dean and sister Beth and several nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be held in honor of Terry at St Martin of Tours Church located in La Mesa (7710 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa CA 91942) on October 26, 2015 at 11:00am, with a reception immediately following. At this time, the family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to St. Martin of Tours Food Assistance Program. Checks can be made payable to St. Martin of Tours Food Assistance Program and mailed to the address above.