James Glenn Allen

Our beloved James Glenn Allen Jr. has returned to his Father in Heaven on October 8, 2017, peacefully at his home in Logan, Utah. James was born on April 6, 1932, to James Glenn Allen Sr. and Annie Craner in Oakland-Alameda, California. Jim graduated in 1950 from Bell Gardens High School in California. He was a star athlete, scoring the first touchdown on the brand new football field. Not only was he a star athlete, he had great artistic abilities. James contributed to his alma mater by creating the official BG High School logo that was used for the school ring and for the mascot. Jim was very involved in his school and served as senior class president. Following in his father’s footsteps, James attended Mortuary Science College in Los Angeles, California, and graduated as the salutatorian December 18, 1951. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army, during the Korean War, serving from 1952 to 1954. He was stationed in Germany and served as a medic in a military hospital. During this time, after achieving top scores in medic training, due to his previous education and experience, James was placed in a teaching position as well as acting in the capacity of a higher level medical position alongside physicians. James has always had a love for life and desired to experience all that it had to offer. He was also very committed to his spiritual values. Shortly after returning home from Germany, with an honorable discharge from the army, he was called to serve a full time LDS mission from 1954 to 1956 in the North Central States. James was a wonderful missionary; sharing the gift of the gospel was natural for him and by doing so he was able to touch many lives. Upon returning home to southern California from his mission, James and Edith Dyanne Dow were sealed in the Los Angeles LDS temple on November 7, 1956. Jim and Dyanne raised six children together. Throughout his life, he was very active in the church and served in many callings. September 1, 1957, started his journey as a seminary teacher, in which he taught countless, adoring students for 24 years. Some of which kept in touch and visited him up until the weeks before his passing. Other callings that he served were First Counselor to the President of the L.A. Temple Visitors’ Center, First Counselor to the Redding Stake President, Bishop, Young Men’s President, Scoutmaster, as well as his involvement with the youth and Boy Scout program. Jim had been a funeral director for most of his life starting in 1956 at the Allen Mortuary in Bell Gardens, CA. In 1978, he sold the Allen Mortuary and headed north to Redding, CA, with both his and the Dahl family, where they established Allen and Dahl Funeral Chapel. His philosophy of caring for and serving the grieving families in the area led him to open additional funeral chapels in Palo Cedro and Anderson, CA. He was able to serve family after family in their time of need. Being a funeral director was not a job, it was who he was and being a lifetime servant to the families of the deceased gave him great joy. James was a proponent of being involved in service oriented community projects. While residing in Bell Gardens, he donated land, funded and built the J.G. Allen Park on Loveland Street. His funeral home was the first funeral home in the country to open its doors to the Missing in America Project. “The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes”. Additionally, he was a part of making MIAP a national organization. Another proud accomplishment was helping to establish the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA. Jim was also an active supporter of the local V.F.W. He was a chairperson of several committees in California that served the community. One being the committee to establish a park in Palo Cedro, as well as the Cancer Society of Redding. James was also a member of the Churches of Interfaith Program in northern California. James remarried after the death of his wife, Dyanne, to Janice Buckingham on September 2, 2013. They resided in Redding, Ca, until the time of Jim’s retirement. They then moved to Logan, Utah to be closer to his ancestral roots. They purchased a home overlooking the Logan Valley with a glorious view of the Logan Temple. Janice tenderly cared for him until his passing. James G. Allen was a one-of-a-kind gentle giant. He was a kind-hearted, endlessly selfless, generous, and loving person. He was a mentor to many and made a difference to an infinite amount of people during his lifetime. Jim was a “yes” man and continually gave from his heart. He loved to share his past experiences with others and had a wonderful talent for storytelling as he recalled them from a perfect memory. Jim was the epitome of unconditional, charitable Christlike love. It was truly an honor, privilege and blessing to have been part of his life  he will be missed dearly. James is survived by his loving wife, Janice, and children: Clay Allen, Mark Allen, Scott Allen, Amber (Forrest), April (Sharpe) and Nathan Allen. Also survived by sisters, Annette (Stephens) and Karene (Mower). He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Annie Allen; his brother, Jay Allen and his first wife, Dyanne. Surviving stepchildren: Elisa (Engstrom), Michael Buckingham, Kristin (Planinz), Karen Buckingham, Jeni (Zeller), Leanna (Clayburn) and Kyla Buckingham. He is loved by 38 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. All arrangements have been honorably performed by Stephen Forrest of Hall Brothers Corning Mortuary.

James Glenn Allen

April 6, 1932 - October 8, 2017

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James Glenn Allen

April 6, 1932 - October 8, 2017

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