Parley Elwin Allred
LOGAN, UTAH: Parley Elwin Allred, 93, of Logan, Utah
passed away on September 7, 2005, at The Sunshine
Terrace.
Elwin was born August 26, 1912, in Paris, Idaho to
Parley Leon and Pearl Fackrell Allred. He had an
older sister, Belva Allred Hart, and a younger
brother, Leon Dale Allred. He married Donna Stephens,
of Preston, on June 26, 1936 in Provo, Utah. They
were divorced the spring of 1943. He married Grace
Benson Crookston on December 6, 1947 in Elko, Nevada.
Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS
Temple.
Elwin was educated in Preston, Idaho where he
graduated from Preston High School. While in High
School he organized and was the leader of “The
Elcodian” dance band and played for many dances in the
South Eastern Idaho area. As a High School project,
he hand mixed all of the cement for the schools tennis
courts.
Elwin served his country during the second world war
in the 104th Timberwolf Infantry Division and fought
across Europe where in the process his unit liberated
several concentration camps, including the death camp
at Nordhausen. He saw first hand the atrocities that
men can inflict on their fellow men. He was the
recipient of the Purple Heart, being wounded in
action, and received the Bronze Star for valor.
He and his wife Grace organized the Merry Mixers
Square Dance Club and spent many years square dancing
in various square dancing clubs and performed many
times in competitions. They were the Mt. Logan Stake
Dance Directors and organized the multi-stake dance
reviews held at Utah State University’s Romney
Stadium. They were also the directors of the highly
successful Four Stake Saturday night dance program at
the U.S.U Union Building.
After the birth of their first grandchild, Elwin began
decorating their home at Christmas and won many
awards for his efforts. His granddaughters were
always the first to turn on the holiday lights.
Elwin and Grace spent many years traveling to his
army reunions, where he was able to share and
reminisce about many of his army and war experiences.
He has written many articles of his experiences for
publication in the 104th Timberwolf News.
Elwin lived in Logan and was employed by both The
Herald Journal Newspaper and The Herald Printing
Company for 42 years until his retirement. He loved
to go deer hunting with his friends, and had many
exciting war and hunting stories to tell. He loved
being with his family and taking his granddaughters on
vacations was a high light of his life.
Elwin is a devoted Republican and has served on many
committees within the Republican Party.
After his wife, Grace passed away, he has visited her
grave daily and misses her very much.
Elwin has been a wonderful husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather. He was active in
his church, politics and community.
Elwin was always civic minded and was actively
involved in the affairs of the Logan City and Cache
County Councils. He was known throughout the state
for his many letters to the editor. He was also
instrumental in organizing and collecting funds from
each town in the county to replace the deteriorated
War Memorial on the Court House corner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister
(Belva), a brother (Dale) and his beloved wife Grace.
He is survived by one son, Ronald (Sharon) Crookston,
Logan, four granddaughters,
Teresa (Michael) Larsen, Salt Lake City, Utah, Coreen
(Kris) Larsen, Logan, Utah, Allison (Derrick)
Longson, Highland, Utah, Jennifer (Paul) Schofield,
Sandy, Utah. He is the grandfather
of 14 great -grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday
September 12, 2005 at the Allen-Hall Mortuary.
Friends may call at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East
Center Street on Sunday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
and on Monday 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Internment will be at the Logan City Cemetery with
military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family
and guestbook signed at Allen Mortuaries.