Albert Allen, Jr.

Al was born on March 13, 1942, in Roseboro, North Carolina, to Albert and Naomi Allen, and was the oldest of 7 children. The family moved to Glendale, Arizona where his father was stationed at Luke Air Force Base. Al graduated from Glendale High School in 1959 (as anyone who ever met Al knew). Following his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort MacArthur, California.

While stationed in California, Al met Mary Carole Bloemer in the Spring of 1960 and after a short courtship, they were married on March 18, 1961. They welcomed their daughter, Lynn Allen, on April 17, 1964. On March 4, 1966, their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Laura Allen. Their family was made compete with the birth of their son, James (Ted) Allen on June 14, 1968.

The Allen family lived in Huntington Beach, California, where they attended Ss. Simon & Jude Church. Al was an enthusiastic supporter of Edison High School football, where his 3 children attended high school. Al was always present at his children’s events, including Lynn’s drill team performances, and Laura’s track meets, and would support his son by going to the beach to watch him surf! He would make the time to show his children how important they are to him by being present as well as encouraging and supporting them in all their endeavors.

Al gave back to his community in many ways. Al and Mary Carole were foster parents to over 100 infants and toddlers for several years. At times, the Allen house had up to four foster children, in addition to their 3, but Al’s love was never in short supply. Al would become known as the neighborhood mechanic and often spent his weekends fixing not only his children’s cars but their friends’ cars as well as friends he made in the neighborhood. Another way Al loved to spend his time on the weekends was to pick up a couple dozen donuts or sausage egg McMuffins and head out to his favorite car wash or autobody shop and shoot the breeze with everyone. If Al would see a stranded motorist, he would invariably stop and jump out to lend a hand. It didn’t matter if he was alone or if he had his entire family in the car headed out to dinner, he would always stop to help out someone in need. More often than not, there was an extra person at the family holiday dinner table, as Al never wanted anyone to be alone. Above all, Al’s true love was his family. He was beloved by his children and their friends, who gave him the nickname “Big Al.”

Al worked in the aerospace industry for Parker Hannifin in Irvine, California for 38 years until his retirement. He then worked for AT&T, Home Depot, and Fry’s Marketplace, where he was a greeter. This was the perfect job for Al, who loved meeting new people and never knew a stranger!

Al and Mary Carole moved to Arizona in 1999. They welcomed the births of their grandchildren Victoria (25), Hannah (24), and Joey (22). Al loved his grandchildren beyond measure and was very involved in their lives. He loved picking up his granddaughters from elementary school to take them out to lunch or to get ice cream and would often slip them some cash with a wink and say, “Don’t tell your mom or Grammy!” He would be front and center at all of his grandson’s football games and beamed with pride as he cheered him on.

Al was a car enthusiast and was especially proud of his blue Corvette. He loved tinkering around the house and was always there to help his family with projects at their homes.

Al was a sports fanatic! He always supported the home team and loved his LA Lakers and Anaheim Angeles! He especially loved college sports, and his favorite teams were UCLA (basketball) and USC (football). Al loved going out to eat as this gave him another opportunity to chitchat and be his natural friendly, funny self! He loved asking servers where they went to high school and if they didn’t go to Glendale High or Edison High, the banter would begin! Al had a very sharp wit and peppered most conversations with what we call “Big Al-isms!” Some of the classic lines include “I’ve seen better heads on a flat beer” or “You’ve got more excuses than Carter’s got pills!” and the family favorite “If the good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise…” but his signature line was “Roses are red, violets are blue…” and some adorable, corny line would follow! Al was a charmer and loved making those around him laugh and feel at ease. But above all these things, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Lynn, Laura, and Ted adored their father, and his absence leaves a hole greater than the size of the Grand Canyon. The legacy Al leaves behind for his children can be found in the way he lived his everyday life. He had a work ethic like no other and taught them to strive to do the very best, no matter the task, and to believe in themselves. Be kind to everyone, especially those less fortunate, but the greatest of all was his example of unconditional love he gave so freely to his family.

Al is preceded in death by his wife Mary Carole of 60 years, his mother and father, and siblings Martin and Donna. Al is survived by his brother Zane (Karen), his sisters Dianne (Leonard), Dee, and Patricia, his children, Son-in-Law Ron Mulla, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

If you are so moved, in lieu of flowers a donation in the name of Albert A. Allen sent to United Hospice of Arizona, 2222 W. Parkside Lane, Ste. 109, Phoenix, AZ 85027.

A memorial service for Albert will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 10:00 AM at West Resthaven Funeral Home (6450 West Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westresthavenfuneralhome.com for the Allen family.