Dr. Merle Ekins Allen

Dr. Merle Ekins Allen

SOUTH OGDEN - We lost our beautiful father, on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

He was born February17, 1919, and went through life with the eyes of a child and the mind of a scientist. He was forever a survivor, surviving the death of his father at the age of 2, the great depression in the direst of circumstances, 2 wars, 2 decades of grace and courage surviving cancer and finally, the loss of his sweetheart 2 years ago. He married his "Dolly" July 18, 1939, and loved her passionately every second of his life, and missed her passionately every second since her death.

He always sought to do his best: Student Body President at Weber High (1937, the "Streamliners"); Student Body President at Weber College, (1939); U.S. Navy in WW II and the Korean War; Doctor of Education, U of U; Professor and Dean of Students at Weber State; Mayor of Ogden; Director of Higher Ed. for Utah; Ass. Commissioner of Higher Ed. for Colorado.

He set the bar high for his children and they all followed in his love of learning achieving doctorate Degrees in Medicine, Law and Psychology.

Next to Dahrl, his greatest love and pride was for his family of six children and their spouses, Rick (Karla), Huntsville; Ed (Patricia), Ogden; Lyn (Larry), Grand Junction, CO; Bernie (Susan), Ogden; Rock (Tracy), Ogden; and Jennifer (Jeff), Ogden; his 29 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren!

He was a member and teacher in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved best his years of leading the music.

He loved Ogden and was a perennial member of the Newcomers Club. He was always grateful to FDR and the Democrats for stabilizing the Country and providing the G.I. Bill and others that helped him climb out of poverty. He never understood those who used the New Deal to reach success and then "wanted to pull the ladder up after them."

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Amelia Allen (Holley), his stepfather, Ezra Holley, sister Edna Evans, and infant daughter Claudette.

He is survived amazingly by the three best brothers ever, Leroy Allen (95), Elmer Allen (93) and baby brother, Orvil Holley.

Thank you to the great "kids" at Mountain Ridge and the amazing Hospice staff whom we all came to love. His life will be celebrated on Saturday, March 13th at 11:00 am, Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Friends may call at the mortuary on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 am.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd., where Military Honors will be accorded.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com