Gary Lee Allen

Gary Lee Allen was born on August 29, 1944, in Denver, Colorado, to Robert Allen and Mildred McFry, both of whom preceded him in death. His parents divorced very early in Gary’s life, and Ralph Trujillo of Grand Junction became his stepfather. Gary formed a close relationship with his stepdad until Ralph’s death in 2005. Gary spent his childhood and attended schools in the Grand Junction area, graduating from Grand Junction High School. On July 15, 1963, he married Linda Jean Allen in Grand Junction, where they started their lives together. During their 48 years of marriage, they lived almost exclusively in the Grand Junction area with brief times in Glendale, California, Williams, Arizona, and other places all around the Western Slope of Colorado, wherever Gary’s employment took him. He and Linda produced five children and he is survived by four of those children, being preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Phyllis Jean, who died in 1982. He was also preceded in death by his bride, Linda Jean, who passed in 2011.

Gary was a skilled painter and worked for various contractors in Grand Junction and other areas out of town. He also owned and was successful with his painting business here in Grand Junction for a time. After all the years of him working as a painter, conversations about buildings or landmarks in and around the Grand Junction area always included information that he painted this building or that building or business. Gary passed a strong work ethic on to his children and that way of life also survives in his grandchildren.

Gary Allen loved camping and was an avid hunter and fisherman who spent as much time as he could in those pursuits. He was nearly always successful when hunting or fishing, and his family always enjoyed the wild fish and game he brought home. He spent many joyful hours camping with friends and family. Many members of his family and friends benefitted from his knowledge and teaching about the outdoors.

Gary is survived by his sons, Gary L. Allen, Jr. of Grand Junction, and Larry Allen of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; daughters, Colleena K. Hilling of Cedaredge, and Hope Roycraft of Pahrump, Nevada; his sisters, Sharon Skinner of Kingman, Arizona, and Carol Hall of Madrid, Missouri. Gary is also survived by six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Martin Mortuary. A committal service will take place the following day, November 21, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Orchard Mesa Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Allen family.