Early in the morning of September 26, 2022, Jay Shelley Allen passed on peacefully at his home. He was born June 1, 1946 in American Fork to Marvin Marion and Fern Shelley Allen where he has lived his entire life. He had a passion for everything outdoors and would go fishing, hunting or camping any chance he could. Jay married his high school sweetheart, Linda Nielsen, August 16, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple and they made their home in American Fork and raised their four children.
Jay graduated in 1964 and held many leadership positions. The one he remembers most is being the drum major for the AF Band. He graduated from BYU intending to pursue a career in medicine but loved the mountains and people more and changed to a teaching career with never a regret. He became a staple at AF High teaching Human Biology, He also became a ranger at Timp Cave and truck driver for Savage Brothers. While working at the cave he spent hours gathering photos and information for a presentation on the history of American Fork Canyon in which he pretended he was George Ting. Jay also found time to serve his country in the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged after 7 years of service. Jay could not be stopped as he also was a disc jockey, ambulance driver, first responder and bus driver for his science field trips.
Jay is survived by his wife, Linda and his children Jason (Carissa) Allen, Trudy (David) Bezzant, Robyn (Craig) Ferre, and Brian (Michelle) Allen, He was a proud grandpa to 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Dale (Renee) Allen and a sister, Renae (Robert) Reese. He was preceded in death by his parents and two of his brothers, M Lynn and Lee Allen.
As a family we would like to thank all of you who sent messages to Jay in his last days. Any of you who met him soon realized his general interest in others. Jay enjoyed all the messages of love and the stories that were shared during his final days. Remember his motto "Self-fulfillment begins when self-pity ends...Go for it." We would also like to send thanks to Dignity who performed his care in his last few days with us. He adored his family and finally had time, after giving up other responsibilities, to enjoy many special events with them. He was a true guardian of those he loved and it wasn't until his last week on earth, when his body was weak and tired, that he allowed others to be his guardian which he richly deserved.
Services for Jay will begin with a viewing Sunday, October 1, 2022 at the Hillcrest 1st Ward Chapel, 949 N 540 W, American Fork from 6-8 PM and one hour prior to services on Monday October 3, at 9:45 am with the funeral services at 11am. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery.
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