Allen Joseph Egerstrom

Mesa, AZ: 08/31/24. Time of Death: 9:45 PM local time, AZ. Allen J. Egerstrom, born 3/30/47 from Benson, MN - born from parents Stanley J. & Dorothy R. (Bartlett) Egerstrom one of six children with 3 older living siblings, and 1 younger living sibling. Allen was a proud father, active in his children’s lives, particularly sports. He gave his 2 children Janeen (deceased) and Jeff life, laughter, kindness, love of sports, humor and was present for the moments that mattered. In particular, a joyful youth of little league and softball organized sports, he never missed a game, and taking moments out of day to spend 1:1 just to be together. His career was spent as a Produce Manager for National Retail Grocery Stores, his last employer, Kroger.

In retirement, Allen enjoyed the community of veterans at the American Legion Post 105 - Deer Valley Plaza West Bell Road. Allen was referred to by his friends as “BIG AL” as a tribute to his big personality. Big AL did life his way, or, ‘My Way’, a tribute to his favorite performer, Frank Sinatra. Allen called his Bedroom bathroom his ‘Office’ and loved to talk on phone with family and friends keeping up on sports mostly. He loved cleaning and maintaining the swimming pool, and tending to outside maintenance in the warm Arizona sunshine with sports-radio on in background. Often, Allen would provide ‘voice-over’ commentary to radio and TV broadcasts of football, baseball, and his beloved Phoenix Suns Basketball team with favorite play-by-play announcer, Al McCoy.

Allen is a veteran and served proudly in the Armed Forces, Army National Guard for 6 years 1969-75 while living nearby with family in Vista, CA until moving to Phoenix where he lived the remainder of his life. A favorite memory from his son includes a day trip to ASU Stadium in August, 1977 where they watched ASU Sun Devils pre-Season practice and a young highly touted kicker Luis Zendejas (later a Vikings NFL kicker) who was warming up kicking 60, 65ft bombs through the uprights. A Phoenix Gazette journalist snapped a picture of his son on that day and later that day published on the front page of the sports section, above the fold.

Allen is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda Margaret Egerstrom, of Mesa, AZ, originating from Glenwood, MN. And his son Jeff Egerstrom of Phoenix, AZ and his family of four including wife Aja, daughters Giana and Aubrey Egerstrom ages 8 & 7. Also, his Grandsons; Casper Classen (27) and Jack Egerstrom (16) from his daughter Janeen Egerstrom (Deceased 2/29/2016). Allen is also survived by siblings that loved him dearly, will miss his sense of humor and enjoyed his sports knowledge and passion, and appreciated his entertaining stories and recaps of daily life which include brothers Daryl, Lee, and Gary Egerstrom. and sister Lucy Ling formerly Egerstrom, surviving her husband Richard A. Ling of MN.

Funeral arrangements will be held at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, located at 400 S. Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206. Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park Phone #: (480) 830-4422 Family Contact Phone #: (480) 590-1266 or (940) 205-6634 Family Contact Email: [email protected] Funeral Services will be held on: Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11am: Live Internet/video feed to be provided. Celebration of Life for “BIG AL” following immediately after at family private residence TBD. Final Burial will take place with Honor Guard at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024, at a later date, TBD.