Obituary: Darley John Allen

and

Helen Marie Parsons Allen

1915 - 2003

After sharing 68 wonderful years of marriage, Darley J. Allen and his wife, Helen, passed away only two days apart at the home of their daughter, Kathie Lowe, in Centerville, UT. Helen departed first on February 25, 2003 and Darley, who had been in failing health for several months, followed on the 27th.

Darley John Allen was born October 12, 1915 in Hyrum, UT., to Spencer Franklin Allen and Sara Gunnel Darley. He graduated from high school in Malad, ID and from Utah State University in Logan, UT. in 1938. While attending the University he married Helen Parsons in 1935 and they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on December 1, 1937.

Helen Marie Parsons was born February 9, 1915 in Newton, UT. to James Henry Parsons and Inez Cooley. She developed an early love for reading and music, and was a church organist for over 65 years. She also attended Utah State University where she and Darley met.

After graduating from college, Darley worked for the Farm Security Administration in UT, taught school in CA, and served during World War II at the Naval Air Station in Pasco, WA. From 1946 to 2002 they lived in Sunnyside, WA where Darley was employed by the Soil Conservation Service and farmed.

Darley and Helen were faithful members of the LDS Church all their lives and served in many Church positions including several years as ordinance workers at the Seattle Temple. From 1975 - 1977 Darley and Helen served a two-year mission for the Church in the Tongan Islands. In later years, Darley and Helen traveled extensively to other countries and interesting locations throughout the world. Helen developed a talent for oil painting and painted more than 100 beautiful pictures which are cherished by family and friends.

Darley was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Spencer Franklin Allen Jr. and Clair Jay Allen; and his sisters, Pollie LaRena (Fitch) and Shirlee LaRee Allen.

He is survived by his brother, Earl Grant Allen. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Henry LaVell Parsons, Harold James Parsons and Frank William Parsons; and her sisters, Beatrice Ann (Markham) and Inez Lucretia (Ashcroft).