Alford Allen, 89

Funeral services for Alford Allen, 89, of Gainesville will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 19, 2014, at Brushy Knob Church on Highway 181 north of Gainesville with Don Yarger and Burl Norton officiating. Mr. Allen died Aug. 14 at Gainesville Health Care Center.
Mr. Allen was born March 17, 1925, in Gainesville the son of Herbert Elmer and Pearl Coy Allen.

In 1943, when he was 17, Mr. Allen drove to St. Louis to join the Navy. Because of his age, his mother had to sign for him. He attended boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, and afterward was stationed in the armed guard center at Treasure Island in San Francisco, and then in San Diego. On Feb. 21, 1944, he sailed on the transport ship the SS Willis Van Devanter, later transferring to the SS Manuran. He served as a gunner and was known as the top shot in charge of all guns and gunners on this ship, rising to the rank of seaman first class.

Mr. Allen loved to tell stories about his experience in the war but was hesitant to share details. Twice while on leave during the war and following the war, he hitchhiked from San Diego back to Missouri. He laughed and said that he didn't have any problems getting someone to stop and pick him up since he was in his uniform and had a duffle bag on his back – all he owned. In 2010 he went on the Ozarks Honor Flight to visit the Word War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

After returning from the war in the Pacific, Alford married Laverne Hambelton; they had seven children together.
Mr. Allen pastored the Brushy Knob Church twice. He lived a life of service to his family, congregation, friends and neighbors.
He was very proud of his family and loved his son and daughters very much; he enjoyed visiting and talking about his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children: Bethye Finkle and husband Tim of Oregon, Polly Huddle and husband Charlie of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Rebecca Norton and husband Danny, and Lemuel Allen and wife Theresa, all of Gainesville, Mickey Carter and husband Gene of Seymour, Sheila Newsome and husband Phillip of Springfield, and Shonnie Pettit and husband Clay of Isabella (Clay is currently serving in Afghanistan); four stepchildren: Pat Whisnant, Burl Norton, Rick Norton and Danny Norton; 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; siblings Elvin Lee Allen of Kansas City, Kansas, and Linnie May Adams of Brighton, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Laverne, in 1997; his second wife, the former, Fay Norton, in 2011; one granddaughter, Nicole Pendergrass, in 1997, and one grandson, Kaleb High, in 2010; four siblings, Ralph Allen, Eugene Allen, Velta Crook and Verda Crook.

Burial will be in Sallee Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to local scouting or community service organizations and left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.