Michael John Allen, 73, of Lopez Island, WA, passed peacefully at his residence on Monday, August 17, 2020, with his wife of nearly 50 years, Joy by his side. He was born on September 27, 1946 in Cleveland, OH; the son of John and Irene (Gulyas) Allen.
Michael graduated from West Technical High School in Cleveland. He interrupted his time in college, to serve his country as a Veteran of Foreign Wars in Vietnam. Michael was honorably discharged on January 18, 1970; earning several awards and citations: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Expert Marksmanship Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Commendation Medal (given for consistent acts of heroism and meritorious service) and three Overseas Bars. During his tour of duty in Taiwan, a recalcitrant water buffalo gored his white Firebird, an incident that is remembered well by his army buddies.
He met the love of his life, Erma Joyce Riser, fondly known as Joy, in the fall of 1969 in Cleveland. They married in Seattle on Halloween of 1970. They lived in Kirkland for 27 years before moving to Lopez Island in 2003. Michael was an auto technician by profession in his civilian life. His family instilled a high-quality work ethic in him and he lived his life helping others. He was a master mechanic and was known for his very meticulous work. His quick wit gave him a ready smile.
As a son of military parents, Michael in his younger years, lived all over the world, spending 54 months in Asia alone. While in Asia. Michael loved travelling internationally and domestically. His favorite pastime for scuba diving took him and Joy to the Caribbean Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Hawaii on several vacations. They also enjoyed sightseeing trips to Yellowstone, Glacier Park, the Oregon Coast, the California Redwoods and to the Grand Canyon in 2018. The Allens also paid their respects to fallen comrades by visiting THE WALL in Washington, DC and the WWII Memorial in Virginia, socializing with friends along the way in picturesque Williamsburg and The Blue Ride Parkway.
Michael was a very people-oriented person. He maintained old Army buddy friendships, scuba club friendships, former neighbors and built newer relationships with wonderful Lopez Island residents. He was instrumental on upgrading and maintaining Elliot Road and built his own home of cedar timbers, which will stand for generations to come.
As a husband, he was the most considerate and supportive person a wife could hope for, besides being a generous, kind and capable individual as well as a Patriot to his country.
Services will be held at a future time to be determined. Suggested memorial to honor his memory, may be made to Wolf Hollow Rehabilitation Center on the San Juan Island.
To share memories of Michael, please sign the online guestbook at https://www.evanschapel.com.
