He was born on February 27, 1934 on the family farm near Elbert, Colorado to Frank and Mae Gresham. Allen grew up west of Elbert, attended the one room Lincoln School and graduated from Elbert High School. After high school Allen joined the Air Force and served for 4 years. In 1957 he married Beverly June Anderson of Douglas County, Colorado. They lived on farms in Elbert and Douglas Counties and later in the town of Elbert. They had three children – Bob, Ron, and Kathy. In 1970 they moved to their current ranch west of Elbert.
Allen worked a number of jobs over the years including a guard at the missile base near Elizabeth, raising dairy cows, many years of farming and ranching and selling Grange insurance. He and Beverly owned and operated a grocery store in Elbert for 13 years. Allen was on the Mountain View Electric Association Board for 45 years and Federated Rural Electric Insurance Corporation Board for 18 years. His favorite job was driving a school bus and Transportation Director for the Elbert School which he did for over 40 years. He was strong in his faith and he and Beverly were faithful in attending and serving at the Elbert Christian Church.
Allen loved people and everyone was a friend. He and Beverly traveled some including a trip to Europe. He loved his family and always looked forward to them coming out to the farm.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 66 years Beverly, sister Ann Long, and grandson Dennis Gresham. He is survived by his brother Warren Gresham; children Bob Gresham, Ron Gresham, and Kathy Chapman; grandchildren Emily Weinstein, Josh Gresham, Rebekah Reed, Jessica Segerstrom, Shelly Barber, Leann Chapman; and 18 great grandchildren.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 10:00am at the Elbert Christian Church followed by a graveside service at the Elbert Cemetery. A meal will then be served at the Elbert Mercantile Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Elbert Christian Church. The address is 23894 Broadway St., Elbert, Colorado 80106.
