Daniel Allen

Daniel Raymond Allen born 1954 January 20 in Aurora, Colorado was always a cheerful, thoughtful young man. I (father-Tom Allen) met him when I met his mother when he was five years old. He moved with his mother and two brothers to San Luis Obispo California in 1960. While there he learned how to hit the baseball in their backyard, swim in the ocean, enjoy sea food at a restaurant at Pismo Beach. He also learned how to spell words and expand his vocabulary by reading flash cards that I  made for him. He was always eager to learn new things and had the ability to do so.

The family moved to San Jose, California where I finished college. While there Dan demonstrated his imagination and entrepreneurship. On the West side of the housing development where they lived, there was a huge open field where he his brother and friends would play games. Many types of wildflowers grew in that field. Dan decided to make use of them. He gathered them in bunches and went door-to-door and sold them to the residents of the homes nearby. Quite an imagination! Also, at the dinner table one day in 1962 or 1963 when he was 8 or 9 years old, I’ve forgotten what the discussion topic was, the comment “If we put the whole world into the sun it would burn up – it would turn into gas” was made. Dan’s response was “Then that’s why God put it way up in the sky, huh, Daddy.”  He and his brothers enjoyed being read bedtime stories. During this time he expressed an interest in studying science. He was always an inventive and observant young man.

In 1964 Dan and Harold signed papers permitting their stepfather Tom Allen to adopt them.

In 1969 when Dan was 15 years old, the family moved back to Grand Junction to the home his mother had purchased with 10 acres of land on D Road. He demonstrated his skill as a fisherman there on the Colorado River, which was about one mile down 29 Road.

Dan was an ambitious young man and had little patience for school when opportunities abounded. He dropped out at about age 16 and went to work in the oil shale industry. By doing so he made more money than his Dad! That work, though paying well, was very hard on one’s physical health. Part of the problems he experienced later in life were symptoms caused by that difficult and dangerous work. His sense of humor was always at play and well done. While working at the shale projects he sent his Dad a shale oil core sample which is used even now as a book end. On the sample is engraved a note “From Dirty Derrick Dan.”

In 1970 his father wrote the following about Dan’s transition in life to another phase.

Danny Boy

Tall

Meeting the sky,

In the wink of his eyes;

Feeling strong in the swift sweet spring

Of youth

And the first touch

Of winter’s cold white stare

Seeking peace in the rarified

Air

Of independent thought.

Wedded to the sharp edged blade

Of Action

To meet himself

SomeWhere

SomeWhen

No where to hide.

Oh Danny boy

Hopes to find hope, Can and may

Among the living lands

Where air is free

And he can stand

Alone

And greet himself.

Be kind when you meet.

And pass words friendly

And sweet

To your heart

As I must to mine.

During this time, Dan got married before he was 18 which required parents’ permission, given reluctantly by his father. He had three children by this union whom he loved very much. For a time they lived in a trailer house on the D Road property. That relationship didn’t last much past the birth of his 3rd child. He eventually lost contact with them, but was able to see two of them again in later years.

Dan was also a skilled craftsman and produced beautiful carpentry and cabinet work. When his health declined his ability to do the work also declined, but he was able to provide advice and guidance to those who could use his experience and expertise to complete their work. He and a friend once built a winding stairway in someone’s home in Aspen, which was featured in a magazine. He was a skilled gardener, passionately growing chillis and tomatoes among other things. (Ain’t nothin in the world like home-grown tomatoes!) He loved sci-fi movies and westerns. He had a great passion for music and thoroughly enjoyed guitar jam sessions with his friends and family.

Dan married again to a wonderful woman, Peggy Brown, and they had five children. Somehow the five fortunately have come into contact with two of their half siblings.

Even after he and his wife separated, he remained in contact with his family to this day. He loved his children and his children loved him.

His grandchildren had his heart. They all meant the world to him.

Dan is pre-deceased by his mother Margaret and younger brother Tom.

His partner, Marie Tordsen, who deeply loved and cared for him, continues to reside in their home in Grand Junction.

In addition, he leaves behind

his father Tom,

second wife Peggy Brown and their children Angela (husband Andrew Johnson, child Rebecca)

Megan (husband Zach Nuss, children Ezeriah, Elliana, Emerson)

Sarah (husband Myles Riedesel)

Alison (husband Jeremy Hunter, child Elsie) Jim (children Gabe, AubrieAnn, Devon, Marques)

Children of Dans first marriage, Jason, Jeremiah, Michelle and their families

His partner Marie’s daughters Martina, Jessica and their families

His brother, Harold

His natural father, Gene and half-siblings Melissa and Michelle.

Dan loved to create his own jokes and sayings to make his loved ones laugh. Please enjoy these as we remember and spread the joy that Daniel brought to us all.

(To his children)

“You must’ve gotten your good looks from me… because your mother still has hers!”

“Change up your breakfast! Instead of a piece of toast try a toast of peace...

PEACE to Everyone...”

"I was born upside-down, my nose runs and my feet smell."

“Worry is a lie that echos off the walls of fear canyon.”

“I bought a wig for 50 cents. It was a small price toupee.”

“Did I ever tell you about the time I bought shoes from a drug dealer? I don't know what he laced them with but I was tripping all day.”

“The price of almonds are so outrageous these days. It’s a good thing deer nuts are still under a buck!”

“I always thought Sundays were a little sad. But the day before is a sadder day.”

“Did you hear about the kidnapping at the park? It’s ok, he woke up.”