Paul Lavern Allen passed away at Galena Manor in Galena, Kansas on Friday, February 21, 2020.
Paul was born to Elvon and Carrie (Crain) Allen in Sheridan Township, Cherokee County, Kansas on October 25, 1931. He was the youngest of five children. Paul grew up on a small farm and attended school in West Mineral. He loved all sports, and in high school played football, basketball and track. His favorite sport was baseball. He loved the game and was a talented catcher.
Upon graduation from Mineral High School in 1949, Paul played ball in a town league for P&M Coal Company. Shortly after, he married and moved to Kansas City, MO, where he worked for Southern Lumber in their train yard.
In 1952, a job opportunity at Spencer Chemical brought him and his family back to Columbus, Kansas. Paul raised four kids and was involved in the community. He served as a councilman for the city of Columbus, coached little league baseball and was a SE Kansas high school football and basketball referee for many years. His kids participated in 4-H, and he was an active 4-H leader for the Lone Elm Beaver 4-H club.
In 1980, Paul married Dorothy (Byrd) Allen and they have resided in Galena, Kansas for the past 35 years. Paul had several careers in life: he was a Farm Bureau Insurance agent, traffic controller for FAG Bearing in Joplin, Allis Chalmers Tractor Implement Salesman, and motel manager for Motel 6 in Austin, Texas. Paul was a master craftsman and throughout his life he worked as a carpenter. He practiced this trade until the age of 82, when his health no longer allowed him to do so.
For the past 13 years, Paul was elected to serve on the Galena City Council as a Councilman. This last December finished up his final term. A footbridge at the Galena City Park will soon be named in his honor. Paul was a published poet, having been printed in five different poetry books. He loved to write beautiful, funny, and sad poems. In 1998, he was recognized by the National Library of Poetry, when two of his poems were picked as Editor’s Choice.
Paul is preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers, two sisters, his son Mike Allen, and daughter-in law Sally Allen.
He is survived by: his wife Dorothy of Galena, and her two children Dena (Hubbard) Hill and husband Ronnie of Galena, Kansas and son Ray Hubbard of Galena, Kansas. Paul’s three children: son Steve Allen of Springfield, Missouri, daughter Patty Sutton and husband Mark of Wagoner, Oklahoma, and daughter Kathy Denny and husband Don of Columbus, Kansas. Paul was blessed with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Derfelt Funeral Home in Galena, Kansas at 1:00 PM. He will be laid to rest at Lowell Cemetery in Lowell, Kansas.
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