Calvin R Allen passed away at his home, December 26, 2018, just north of where he was born, also at home, on 1300 East. The second of seven children, he joined the family of Ronald and Ruth Rasmussen Allen on September 14, 1930. A lifelong resident of Draper he has loved and served the people there and throughout the county, much like the previous five generations of his family who settled and built the town.
He attended local schools and graduated from Jordan High in 1948. In 1951 his call to serve in the Western States Mission was preempted when he received his draft notice. Though already in the mission home he was unable to complete his mission.
With this change of plans, much to the dismay of both of their parents, he and his sweetheart, Dixie Jensen, decided to marry before he reported for basic training followed by training to become an amphibious truck driver, and his deployment to serve his country in Korea. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Calvin served wherever he was called. He especially loved working with the youth and in the sports programs.
In his later years he served as a temple worker in the Jordan River and Draper Temples. Throughout his life he worked a variety of jobs, owned a small trucking business and hauled crops and coal for his friends and neighbors. He hefted 100 lb.
bags of feed at the “Feed Plant” —Draper Poultrymen— some have called him the strongest man in Draper. As the custodian for the LDS Church at the old 2nd and 4th Ward building and later at the new stake center down the street at 13200 S. 1300 E., Calvin not only took care of the buildings, he consistently sought to help the people who used those buildings, setting up and taking down countless tables and chairs, etc. and insuring the proper shoes be worn on his immaculately cared for gym floor.
He also drove school bus for Jordan School District for 50 years. He and his buddy, Jay Webb, competed in the National Bus Drivers Road-e-o several times during the 1980s. They traded off winning the first and second place trophies.
Calvin figured the other drivers probably cheered when he and Jay didn’t compete any more. He was particularly delighted when former students would approach him and say they used to ride his bus. Oh and we’d best not forget his service as the Fire Chief back when the Draper Fire Department was a mere volunteer operation.
Calvin claimed his greatest accomplishment was raising a family and marveled at how so many people had helped him to be able to support them over the years. He is survived by his children Katherine (Melvin) Andrews, Duane J (Sharla), Calvin Ralph (Karen), Ronald J (Denise), Judy Greenland, Roger Donald (Michelle), Lana (Clayton) Ricord, Gordon J (Denise), Verna Cruz, Michael J (Laurie), 54 grandchildren, and 110 great grandchildren, as well as siblings, Maurine Anderson, Melvin Ronald (Charolette), and Mary Jane (Gene) Beck. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie, a son John J, parents Ronald Earl and Ruth Rasmussen Allen, and brothers, Donald Ray, Alva Ralph, and Robert Edward.
Funeral services will be held on January 5, 2019 at 12:00 noon at the Corner Canyon 9th Ward chapel, 13006 South Boulter Street, Draper. A viewing will be held Friday evening, January 4, 2019, from 6:00 to 8:00 at the same location. There will also be a viewing prior to the funeral service from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. Burial will be at the Draper City Cemetery.
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