Roy Allen

Henry LeRoy "Roy" Allen, 83, of King Hill, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at a Gooding hospital.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, at the VFW Hall in Glenns Ferry. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Roy was born in Emmett to Henry E. and Willa Allen. He was the oldest of four children, two girls and two boys. The family lived in Gooding, then moved to King Hill where Roy attended school through the tenth grade. He quit to go to work. He felt "he knew more than the teachers anyway."

He worked for local ranches with his dad. He learned to drive a team of horses by the age of 12. That started his lifelong love of driving team. In his lifetime he did everything there was to do with a team of horses.

He and his Uncle Bud, who was only six months older than him, had many lifelong adventures together. From showing the cowboys on various ranches their many skills on the horses, including, but not limited to, riding of the bucking broncs. They rode the rails to Washington together in the month of February. This friendship lasted till Bud pasted away a couple of years ago.

They both had the "Allen" stubbornness and would even argue on whose dog was the toughest.

When Roy was 14 years old he single handedly drove a herd of 27 horses from King Hill to Hill City.

At the age of 17 he was able to fulfill his dream of joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He planned on making that his career, but ended with a medical discharge.

That door closed in his life so he returned home and married Georgie Farlow the day before his 18th birthday. To this union four children were born, Henry "Buddy" (1949), Barbara (1950), Joyce (1951), and Johnny (1952). Buddy passed away when he was four years old and Roy and Georgie later divorced.

He then became a single father raising three young children.

He later met Betty Jean Doner at the Cascade Rodeo, where Roy was competing in the bareback competition. Within a few months, on Sept. 2, 1955, this wonderful woman became the best mom that Barbara, Joyce and John could have ever asked for. She accepted and loved these children as her own.

To that union two more children were added, Lori in 1958 and Jim in 1966.

Roy stopped riding in the rodeos soon after this marriage to get a steady job. He worked many different jobs in his lifetime, from logging, big game packer and construction work to bar owner in order to support his family.

In 1975, Roy was working as a lineman and a power pole broke with him on top. He had the forethought to work his way to the top of the pole to "ride it down." That way he avoided being crushed. He was badly injured, though. He was told he would never walk again after that accident. His tough, independent spirit took over and he was determined to prove the doctors wrong. Through many painful months in the hospital and healing, he was able to walk.

At that time he had to change careers and he learned to make saddles. He continued that for the rest of his life.

He also kept up with the things he loved -- hunting, fishing and camping.

He created many happy memories at the family reunions when his grandsons would lift him into the back of the pickup bed and his granddaughters climbed into the pickup with him and he would dance and sing to "Bad to the Bone" and "Baby Got Back."

Roy was involved with the rodeo association in Glenns Ferry for many years. He always wanted to have "fun" after the meetings.

He also was involved with the Three Island Crossing, which was started by his Uncle Bud. Roy only missed two crossings in his life. One he was in the hospital with a heart attack and the other he had to move cows. One of his goals was to be the oldest man to cross, which he was.

Through all this he made friends from around the world.

Roy left a legacy with his children of his independent spirit and quality work ethic. You always give a 110 percent no matter what you were doing. He gave them a love of family and animals and respect for the beautiful outdoors. Whether in the mountains or desert, we each see its own unique beauty.

Roy was a man of few words, but he had his opinion on most things and he had no trouble telling you what he thought. And he usually was right.

He had a lively sense of humor and would tell great campfire stories that would last all night long. He would get a twinkle in his eyes and you knew he was about to tell you something.

The following is written by a former son in-law:

To all my "other family" in Idaho... I just heard the sad news about the passing of Grandpa Allen. I often think about the camping trips and other things we did over the years. Even after I was not "in" the family he always welcomed me in his home and was always the country gentleman. He was a great father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to all who knew him. R.I.P. Roy... you will surely be missed but always remembered. Prayers and condolences to the whole family.

Roy is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, of King Hill, his daughter Barbara Burtlow, son John Allen, daughter Lori and her husband, Bob Simmons, son Jim and his wife, Liz Allen, sisters Jewel Brown and Jean Copenhaver, 20 grandkids, 32 great-grandkids, and four great-great-grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Buddy, his daughter Joyce, and two brothers.

Donations in Roy's memory can be sent to the Glenns Ferry Rodeo Association or a charity of your choice.