Carl W. Allen

Carl W. "York" Allen, 81, passed away peacefully July 19, 2017 surrounded by his family.

Carl was born in Ammon, Idaho on July 3, 1936 at a place they called the Little Rock Knoll, to Etta and James Allen. He was the seventh of eleven children.

In order to make room for the growing family, shortly before Carl was born his father hauled logs from the mountains and built a two-room house. One room served as a combination kitchen and living room while the other was the only bedroom. The home did not have running water or electricity and was heated by a coal stove.

When his father became ill and could no longer work, Carl and his siblings worked on area farms to help buy their own school supplies and clothes. They also worked together to tend the family garden.

Some of his childhood memories include fishing in the Bone area, catching snakes in the rocks near the railroad tracks, buying penny candy at the corner store, sledding on hand-me-down sleds and listening to World War II updates on the radio.

Carl married Delsa Leona Gardner on February 2, 1957 in Riverside, Idaho. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on February 14, 1987. Ironically, Carl and Delsa later discovered that they had been born only a few blocks away from each other. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

The young couple moved to Buffalo, New York where Carl worked for Bethlehem Steel. They had many adventures on the east coast including seeing Elvis Presley in concert.

He joined the United States Army and his service called him to Augsburg, Germany, where their first daughter, Sandy was born in 1960. Following his service he and Delsa moved to Pocatello, Idaho where shortly after daughter Wendy was born in 1961. A third daughter, Pam, arrived in 1968.

Carl worked as a crane and heavy equipment operator at FMC for 42 years. His co-workers knew him as "York".
After retirement he and Delsa enjoyed traveling. They have been to 45 states including Alaska and Hawaii and have also been to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

He enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, going to yard sales, working in the yard and bowling. His love of bowling began when he was 13-years-old and he belonged to many bowling leagues throughout his lifetime. He bowled right up to the day that his health would no longer allow it.
He also enjoyed old cars, especially his 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible. He very much enjoyed driving his car in parades. He was a volunteer for the the Pocatello Police Department and was rarely seen without his Cherry Coke.

Carl was hard working, patient and kind, and his family will greatly miss his sense of humor and ready wit. And if you knew him you most likely fell victim to one of his practical jokes.
He grew up in a time when nothing was wasted or taken for granted, and though we may have never said it, he taught us to always be thankful.

Carl's family was his pride and joy. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

Carl is survived by his wife, Delsa, daughters Sandy (Bryan) Wixom of Blackfoot, Idaho, Wendy (Gene) Farmer of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Pam (Darin) Kennedy of Boise, Idaho.

He is also survived by brothers Wayne (Dot) Allen of Largo, Florida; Keith (Joyce) Allen of Hunstville, Alabama; Lester (Linda) Allen of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sisters Ruby Johnson of Pinellas Park, Florida and Ann (Lynne) Aldous of Salmon, Idaho; sister-in-law Glenna Allen of Salt Lake City, Utah and sister-in-law Geri Allen of Mountain Home, Arkansas; grandchildren Wynter Farmer of Boise, Idaho, Jenny (Mike) Hopkins of Pocatello, Idaho, Daniel Wixom of Pocatello, Idaho; Kevin, Megan and Braeden Kennedy of Boise, Idaho and Jeffrey Kennedy who is currently serving an LDS mission in New Caledonia; great-grandchildren Dominic Fenton of Boise, Idaho, Saffron Fenton of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Griffin McDonald of Boise, Idaho, Aria Reynolds of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Devin Hopkins of Pocatello, Idaho and Haily, Tyler, Alex and Madison Wixom of Pocatello, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lavern (Helen), Dale, Lyle and Theo Allen; sister Blanche (Jack) Staggie and brother-in-law Jim Johnson.

The family would like to thank Hospice Alliance of Idaho: Whitney, Lisa, Maria, Misty and JoAnne for the love and care they gave Carl in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to gather at a viewing at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 24 at the LDS church at 300 E. Chapel St. in Pocatello.

Interment will follow at the Iona Cemetery, 4707 Iona Road in Idaho Falls. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family under the "Tribute Wall" tab above.