I TRUELY ENJOYED TALKING WITH  YOUR DAD AND SHARING STORYS WITH HIM ABOUT HIS TRANSPORT BUSINESS.  WE ALSO  SHARED ABOUT EACH OTHERS FAMILIES, OUR MILITARY EXPERIENCES AND WORKING WITH THE DANCE TEAM COMPETITIONS, ESPECIALLY THE PARKROSE COMPETITION.

     Allen Drew was an incredible person. He was an exceptionally kind man who was friendly to everyone he encountered. If you were lucky enough to have met my Grandfather, if only for a moment, I'm sure you were able to see this genuine kindness. He would listen to, encourage, and support anyone who needed it. He never held a grudge; he just loved everyone as they were. I always felt that my Grandfather understood me, and who I aspired to become. I believe he had a gift to make everyone feel that way. He loved to see others succeed. He loved his family and we all loved him very much in return. He was our core, the foundation of light and joy in our family. I suppose we must pick up the pieces and carry on where he left off, using his example to light the way.

     The two of us would often take day trips to his favorite breakfast restaurants and sightsee around Oregon. Along the way he would show me homes he built in his days as a residential homebuilder. I would get to hear stories of his travels from his birthplace of St. Louis, Missouri, to his military days spent all over Europe, to his family vacations when my mother and aunt were young. He would lovingly recall the trips he took with my Grandmother before her passing. He and I would reminisce about our family trips to Disneyland, the Oregon coast and Tennessee. We both agreed that we should go back to Tennessee for his Uncles 100th birthday. I still plan to make that trip for him. 

     I will forever cherish the time I spent with my Grandfather and I will hold the memories I have of him close to my heart, always. He was too good for this world so he had to leave us behind, but I take solace knowing that he is simply on his next adventure; I just don't get to hear about this one yet.

I will love you forever, Grandpa. Thank you for your love and for the memories.

Rest peacefully,
Kassy

Dad was such a sweet christian man whom I admired so much!  It is impossible to say all the reasons why he was such a great Dad, but here are some of the qualities that I loved the most:
He was always there for me - we had a very close relationship and would talk at least once every other day.
He always encouraged me to be the best at whatever I wanted to do!
He valued family above all else, which was the common bond that we both shared. He knew that being a mother and grandmother has been the greatest joy of my life and being a Dad was his.

He was such a great listener - Always ready to drop anything to hear my thoughts or concerns.

Dad was so warm-hearted and kind. Always looking for the good in people. He was very understanding and non-judgmental towards others.

He loved people unconditionally and forgave easily. Never holding a grudge against anyone, which I admired the most and I myself aspire to do!

I always knew that my parents loved me and I know that I will see them again in Heaven someday. My mom is now reunited with my dad, as well as the other members of our family that have gone before them.

What an indescribable joy my dad must be experiencing to see his Lord and Savior for the first time!!!!

Well done Dad!   
I love you!

I have to preface this tribute to my dad by saying that while I was writing this; I found that no matter how much I put on paper it doesn't seem like enough.
I am so grateful to God for blessing my life with such an amazing father.  Some of the qualities that I loved about my dad were his capacity for loving, his positive nature, his ability to forgive others, and his gift of encouragement.
My dad always said that family is the most important thing.  He always told me how much he loved me and how proud he was of me. Growing up, dad always made time for us kids.  He even took us to work with him on occasion.  Our fishing trips always included a breakfast and lunch at one of his many favorite places.  Family time on Sundays after church consisted of Putt  Putt Golf, Bowling, Multnomah Falls, or Oaks Park. 
Dad always chose to see the best in people.  Even if someone had wronged him, he chose to forgive them.  He spent time focusing on the positive things in life.  He loved life!  Anyone he met liked him.  Whenever we went to any of his favorite diners, he knew at least one of the servers.  That was dad always making friends.  When we went to Mexico, he made friends with the cab driver.  The cab driver liked dad so well that he invited us all to dinner at his house.  What an incredible experience!  
As I got involved in Dance Team in high school, dad was a huge supporter.  He attended every competition.  He always thought it was sad that more fathers weren't there supporting their daughters.  He would say, They are really missing out!  In my late twenties, I started coaching and my dad just kept on supporting and encouraging.  He not only came to every competition, but a lot of rehearsals as well.  He knew the kids names, parent names, and important things about each of them.  Our first State Championship included a voice over done by dad.  
Every conversation with dad was positive.  He always had something good to say or something funny to tell me.  I can't ever recall a time when dad called to gripe or complain.  Quite often when I was on a long commute to see a customer, dad and I would talk on the phone.  He always gave me words of encouragement.  Sometimes he just called to tell me he loved me or how proud he was of me.  Dad had a way of making me feel that I could do anything.
I will miss his phone calls, his loving hugs, and warm encouraging words.  I will miss our BBQ's, dinners out, and annual beach trips.   I thank God that my dad was such a great example.  He truly displayed what Jesus Christ taught, to love unconditionally, forgive others, encouragement and hope.  The peace I find is I know he is reuniting with his wife and his son in Heaven.  While I will miss him here on this earth, I will see him again in Heaven for eternity.

I Love You Dad,  Kelly

Your dad was the best!!! Probably one of the sweetest guys I ever met!! Boy, did he LOVE you! He just lit up whenever he was around you Kelly.  What a beautiful bond your dad had with you. He had such a peaceful and beautiful spirit about him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love you! LaDonna

I'm so saddened by the passing of Allen he influenced my life in so many ways. He was such a kind caring man who lived his life as an example for others to follow. He never met a stranger and all who met him, considered him a friend. This was even evident in his final days when he could barely communicate. When Kelly would wheel him down the hall of the Care center and everyone would smile and say Hi Allen.  It was evident he had made an impact on their lives and they considered him a friend.
I'll miss his great sense of humor, even when it was a little corny. I'll miss our times of travel to the beach and Disneyland. I'll miss his stories of youth and life growing up. I'll miss the stories of his travels around the world, Germany, Tahiti, Mexico, England to mention a few. I'll miss his never ending support of Dance Team, whether it was when Kelly was dancing or coaching. He would often revisit his archive of dance routine tapes and enjoy all the hard work that went into each one. He was a Dance Team Dad for all showing up at all completions and rehearsals.
He was such a loving father to his kids and Grand-kids supporting them in whatever challenge they took on. When things got tough he would always come along with a word of encouragement and bring you back to a calm reality. He was a man who had plenty at times and didn't at others yet it never changed how Allen lived his life and how he always treated others with a caring compassion.  
His passing may have left the world as a little more somber place with him gone. We can live rest assured of the impact he had in our lives. I will take his example of kindness and caring and continue to apply it to my life. I want to be able to look at others who might not fit everyone's expectations but still be able to say he's a really nice guy just like Allen did throughout his life; looking beyond the circumstances to see the true person.
Philippians 4: 4-7; Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Dean Jones

We were so sorry to hear of Allen's passing. Allen and I knew each other from grade school Peninsula and high school; George Morin. I met him during our high school days; Charlene (Dowling) Ascher.  We will miss his smile and good nature at our reunions.
George Morin and Charlene Ascher, Portland, Or.

I went to high school with Allen and he was a fun person to be around. We will miss him at the reunions.  My sympathy to the family and friends.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family Kelly.  May God bring you comfort during this time.  Thank you for sharing your dad with us.  :)

We never met you, but knowing the wonderful daughter (Kelly) that you raised tells us what a wonderful man you were.

My prayers are with all of the families affected by the passing of such a great man.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.

What a wonderful, kind, loving person, father, husband, grandpa he was...It was a pleasure to have met him...I remember that he always had a smile on his face...my heart goes out to your family...he is at peace now and with his equally amazing wife!

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Thoughtful condolences to the family.  Our prayers are with you  Life is fragile.  God is with you.  Linda and I look foreword to seeing  you there. 

                                                signed,
                                Allen's brother and wife, Linda

OBITUARY

Allen Walter Drew

June 28, 1936 – February 4, 2016

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home

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