Graveside services were held Friday at Lakewood Memorial Park for Gary Don Allen, 68, of Ceres. He died Jan. 26, 2009.
Franklin and Downs was in charge of arrangements.
Born Jan. 26, 1941 in Bisbee, Ariz., Gary moved to California later settling in Ceres. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years and served three tours of duty overseas, including the Vietnam War. Just before leaving for the Vietnam he was invited to the White House to meet then President Lyndon Johnson. He retired for military service in July 1979 at which time he and his wife Carolyn and young daughter returned to California making their home in Modesto. After returning to Modesto Gary was employed by Gallo Winery where he retired in 2003 after serving 22 years.
He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Carolyn Allen of Modesto; his daughter, Vicki Ray of Ceres; his sister, Peggy Stiffler of Ceres; three grandchildren, Kari da Silva of Modesto, and Kelly Ray and Michael Ray, both of Ceres; and one great-granddaughter Kayden da Silva of Modesto. He was preceded in death by parents Roy and Alice Allen and great-granddaughter Taylor da Silva.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /Feb. 4, 2009
Franklin and Downs was in charge of arrangements.
Born Jan. 26, 1941 in Bisbee, Ariz., Gary moved to California later settling in Ceres. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years and served three tours of duty overseas, including the Vietnam War. Just before leaving for the Vietnam he was invited to the White House to meet then President Lyndon Johnson. He retired for military service in July 1979 at which time he and his wife Carolyn and young daughter returned to California making their home in Modesto. After returning to Modesto Gary was employed by Gallo Winery where he retired in 2003 after serving 22 years.
He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Carolyn Allen of Modesto; his daughter, Vicki Ray of Ceres; his sister, Peggy Stiffler of Ceres; three grandchildren, Kari da Silva of Modesto, and Kelly Ray and Michael Ray, both of Ceres; and one great-granddaughter Kayden da Silva of Modesto. He was preceded in death by parents Roy and Alice Allen and great-granddaughter Taylor da Silva.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /Feb. 4, 2009
