Gary D. Allen (76) of Pasadena, TX illuminated the sky on the night of the big blue moon, August 31, 2023, when Jesus called one of His brightest stars home.  Gary was born on August 10, 1947 in Austin, Minnesota the eldest child of Evelyn Patricia Hanson and Earl Willard Allen.  Gary had eight siblings Roger (1948), Sandra (1949), Martin (1952), Sharon (1953), Daniel (1955), twins Rebecca and Ronald (1956), and Linda (1957).  Their mother died on June 6, 1958, at the age of 32 from the aggressive treatment received for rheumatoid arthritis.  Gary's father later remarried Lucille (Baglo) Allen and from that union he has one living stepsister (Joyce 1945).

Gary grew up in Austin, Minnesota in Mower County.  He and all of his siblings attended a private school, Pacelli Catholic School.  Shortly after graduation from Pacelli High in 1965, where he excelled in all sports, and lettered in track and football, the United States Army drafted Gary and he deployed to serve in the Viet Nam conflict.  It was there that Gary converted to Christianity and would spend the remainder of his life a devout protestant.

Memories of Austin, MN would remain important throughout Gary's lifetime.  SPAM®, manufactured there, at the Hormel plant where his father spent his entire career as a pipefitter was a favorite of his.  The loose meat sandwich shop, the Tender Maid, was another one and on visits back home to visit friends and family he still ate there.

Gary married Patricia Pilcher in 1968 and from that union he had his three children Doug (1968), Mark (1970), and Brandy (1977).  In 1998, he married Janelle Stout Laminack and they blended their families to include Janelle's three daughters Lori (1980), Crystal (1982) and Kelly (1985).  Their family has grown exponentially since then to include 12 grandchildren (Shara, Selina, Develin, Ethan, Kayley, Hannah, Jacob, Skyla, Justin, Grace, Kinsley and Grant) and 6 great grandchildren (Colston, Mason, Hudson, Preston, Tristan, and Jaxton).  Gary left this world before meeting his seventh great-grandchild (Hudson) due in February 2024.

Gary loved science fiction and was a big fan of The Twilight Zone and a voracious reader of Stephen King novels.  He loved all sports and played racquetball and golf.  He also enjoyed dancing, especially a good country waltz.  In his post-retirement from Lyondell/Equistar Chemicals he and Janelle spent their days traveling the USA as far West as New Mexico, and as far North as the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada.  They had an avid affection for the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.  After Gary's health robbed him of the ability to travel, play golf, and visit out-of-town family you could find the hopeless romantic in his chair, Peepaw's chair, watching Hallmark movies and choking back tears when the kiss happened in the last minute of the story.

Gary loved passing out napkins, because one never knows when they just might need a napkin.  He always asked for extra at the restaurant and on the day before he left us he asked his nurse to please, use a napkin in case something drips.

The service honoring Gary's life will be held at 4:00pm Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Peevey Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service.