Allen was born October 3, 1947 in Alma, MI the son of William E. and Ruth (McPherson) Cook.
Allen was raised on the family farm in rural Gratiot County, MI which he loved dearly. He was a 1965 graduate of Ithaca High School. Allen was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 stationed in Vietnam. After his discharge in 1973, Allen attended San Antonio Community College where he met Edna Biggs. Allen and Edna were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX on September 27, 1975 and enjoyed 43 years of marriage and had one son, Kevin.
Allen also served in the Texas National Guard until 1992. He was a long time member of the King of Kings Lutheran Church in San Antonio where he served as Trustee, Usher, Human Care, Sunday School Teacher and helped where ever needed. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman’s League (LLL) serving as Congregational Ambassador and Honorary Member of the Board of Directors of the Lone Star District. Outside of the church Allen was a Lifetime member of American Legion Post 592 and the North East Senior Citizens group.
More recently he attended Chapel of the Cross Lutheran in St. Louis County and Zion Lutheran in Staunton, IL. His Faith and family were most important to him.
Allen enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and attending his grandchildren’s activities. He was an avid sports fan and especially liked watching Detroit Tigers, San Antonio Spurs and St. Louis Cardinals.
Allen is survived by his wife, Edna Cook of Staunton, IL: his son, Rev. Kevin (Kristi) Cook and 2 grandchildren Leah and Lucas all of Staunton, IL. Also, sisters Lillian (Robert) Merdler of Saginaw, MI; Cheryl Cook of Alma, MI; Christine (Kevin) Lombard of Ithaca, MI; Valerie (Scott) Snyder of O’Fallon, MO; and Michele (Raymond) Rettig of Findlay, OH; and many nephews and nieces. In addition, close family friends John and Linda Beetle of Houston, TX; Erin (Ben) Solomon and Jaden of San Antonio TX, Christopher (Katherine) Beetle and Morgan, James and Daniel of Houston, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents William E. and Ruth Cook; granddaughter Madelyn Cook; brother David Cook; and sister Beverly Cook.
Graveside services with military honors will be held 11am Saturday, November 9, 2019 at North Star Cemetery in North Star, MI. A luncheon will follow at the Ithaca Church of God.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141, www.lhm.org; or a church of your choice.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.