Generous and influential, animal lover
Allen, the outdoorsy, athletic family man, was loving, hard-working, and intelligent. He could often be found in nature, on walks with his dog, or playing sports of all kinds. Holidays and vacations with his family and closest kin Hailee, Mercedes, Amarie, Adrian, GiiGii, and Wyatt added happiness to his life. His mother, Dixie, recalls how contagious his laughter was and how his booming voice and guitar skills made him so unique. She was his biggest fan.
Allen had a knack for positively influencing lives simply by being present. He traveled far and wide and loved swimming and trying new eating spots wherever the family went. He found joy in sports like baseball, football, and running. Allen also loved electronics and anything he could figure out how to fix. A fan of clean environments, animal welfare, and self-care, he volunteered for beach, park, and woodland clean-up causes and for animal shelters, weight-trained often, and focused on fitness. Jobs in delivery and construction aided those efforts as well. Kids loved to play with him, and his advice was sought out and heeded. He spent a lot of time with his mother, especially on road trips, where his preference for quieter music led to a lot of conversation.
Allen’s goals for the future included returning to school with his close friend, Talon. Though unsure of his course of study, his mother was sure he’d excel. Watching substance use disorder overtake her son’s life caused immense frustration. The fear of him succumbing to misuse plagued her. On the very day Allen planned to visit his great-great aunt for her birthday, his life suddenly ended, leaving grief and despair behind.
Dixie mourns her son, especially their time together and the laughter that defined his character. In his honor, she shares his story and encourages others to live fiercely as Allen did. She believes that those with substance use disorder are worthy of love and that her son’s living legacy is the uplift he gave to others. Those who looked up to him travel through life with his words in their minds and hearts.
Allen’s mother, Dixie Ellson, provided the information for this narrative.
November 29, 2001-July 12, 2025-Age 23
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Jill Denton
