Allen Ray Wilkinson

He has lived in the Yakima area since the age of 8. He graduated from Highland High School where he held the high jump record for almost 50 years.

He married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Keeter, in 1953. In 1955, after the birth of their first child, Merry, they moved to Seattle; he started his own business, “Al’s Vending Service.” Three children followed: Linda, David, and John. Al was affectionately known by the neighborhood kids as “The Candy Man,” due to the fact that they all knew he stored candy in the garage and had a vending machine in the backyard.

In 1966, the family came back to the Yakima Valley. He went to work for Darigold, eventually starting his own dairy delivery business with his sons – “Wilkinson Family Dairy.” He was well known in the valley, as he delivered to many local businesses and schools for over 40 years. He especially enjoyed the many years he supplied the vendors at the Central Washington State Fair.

Al was also involved in his church. He served as choir director and was a frequent soloist. He was known for his singing voice and often sang at funerals, weddings, and other events. In later years, he served as a greeter and in the coffee ministry at Westside Church. He coached track and field at Highland and Riverside. He loved to attend his kids and grandkids activities and sporting events. Over the years he and his wife hosted three “Children of Chernobyl” – Olya, Alyona, Marina, and Kitty, an exchange student from Hong Kong.

A major health issue forced him to retire from his full time business. He spent his recovery writing his autobiography, “The First Seventy Years.” He then began the next phase of his life by serving others, volunteering at the hospital, the Harmon Center, hospice, North Star Lodge, and People for People.

Allen is survived by Wanda, his wife of 62 years; daughters, Merry (Clark) Smith of Yakima, Linda (Ron) Smith of Yakima, and sons, David (Tina) Wilkinson of Yakima and John (Tammy) Wilkinson of California; grandchildren, Bryan, Molly, Melanie, Ashley, Dayna, Zayne, Jeff, Kristie, and Andrea; great grandchildren, Marysia, Michal, Olivia, Kaidence, Rilee, Gunner, and Clark. He is also survived by his sisters Belle (Hoyte) Brown, Ruth Hill, and sisters in law, Ruth Wilkinson and Carrol Keeter, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Bertie Wilkinson, brothers, Hobert, John, Jerry Leon, and grandson, Trevor Wilkinson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Highgate House for the loving, personal care of Dad in his final weeks. Charitable donations can be made in Al’s memory to the Union Gospel Mission.

“We do not grieve as those who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Westside Church at 10:30 a.m. Concluding services will follow at West Hills Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m.

To share a memory of Al, please visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.