Stanley E. Allen was born in Detroit, Michigan. His mother Mamie passed away just before his 5th birthday and he became a ward of the State of Michigan living in juvenile facilities and for a short time with his granny Betty C. He was eventually placed at Starr Commonwealth in Albion, Michigan and spent 4 years there as a teenager. Founded in 1913 by Uncle Floyd Starr with the belief there was no such thing as a bad child, Stan would tell anyone he met that Starr saved his life. While at Starr he was given the opportunity to attend Albion High School and was a proud Wildcat. One of his proudest accomplishments as a young man was setting the school shotput record of 58’9” in 1974 which has never been broken.
Stan joined the Navy and spent time on a munitions ship in Alaska, as well as being stationed in the Philippines where he played football. After the Navy he settled in California. Stan put his mind and heart into everything he ever did from construction to district manager of 2 retail chains, to owning his own massage therapy business where he was a LMT and Reiki Master. Stan retired last July as an A.V.P. after 23 years with Wells Fargo in the Technology Division.
He spent the last several months happily enjoying retirement building a shed in the backyard, puttering in his garage, sitting in his chair watching documentaries, playing with his puppies and planning motorcycle and camping trips for this upcoming spring and summer. Stan was the President of the Starr Commonwealth Alumni Association and on the Board of Trustee's holding various offices throughout the years, a member of the Albion High School Distinguished Alumni Association and a former trustee at Union Missionary Baptist in Des Moines. He received a Distinguished Alumni award from both Starr and Albion High School and was recognized twice as a Volunteer of the Year with Wells Fargo.
He was a friend and mentor, an honorary papa and uncle, a chosen son and brother; and the strongest gentlest man you could ever meet.
The story of this proud yet humble man can't be told in this short obituary, but his chapter
"Why Not Me" in the collaborative book "The Path of Awakening A Healing Journey" is a brief glimpse of his journey to peace and understanding we are all put on this earth for a purpose and we should live every day trying to fulfill that purpose.
He is survived by daughter Valorie (Sergio) and grandsons Dominic and Antonio, daughter Brandi and granddaughter Isla, as well as his daughter in love Mechelle and grandchildren Jordan, Daus and Melissa, his sister Betty of Detroit, Michigan, his chosen mother Hazel Lias of Albion, Michigan and his wife Patricia.
He did his best to live the dash even at the end being an organ donor who left a legacy of life to 2 people through his donation of kidneys. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Starr Commonwealth Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Albion or to any organization who supports at-risk or foster children.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the future when winter and COVID have loosened their grip.