Larry Wayne Allen

Larry W. Allen, 70, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, April 14th, 2019 following a thirteen-month battle with brain cancer. Larry was born on October 9, 1948 in Lebanon, Missouri to parents Roy E. and Patsy R. (Forsee) Allen. Soon after his birth, his parents moved to Columbia, Missouri, and when they divorced a few years later, his mother moved Larry and his younger brother Gary to Hallsville, Missouri, where he would reside for the remainder of his childhood. Larry excelled in school and was a talented trumpet, baseball, and basketball player. After graduating high school, Larry attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he later worked as a computer programmer. In that capacity, Larry developed the university’s first computerized ticketing system, which remained in use for several decades, as well as a first-of-its-kind athletic scouting program, which he designed for the university’s football coaching staff. In 1977, Larry moved to Kansas City, Missouri to accept a job as a computer programmer at Trans World Airlines. He helped develop the airline’s maintenance and engineering systems, which he continued to manage for more than 25 years. In 1993, TWA recognized Larry with an Award of Excellence, and dedicated a Boeing 747 in his honor. Larry truly loved his work, and he made many lifelong friendships during his time at the airlines. Despite growing up in a farm family, Larry was known for being partial to “city” life. So he surprised many when, in his 30’s, he developed an interest in Arabian horses, bought some acreage in the country, and even built a barn by himself. He began breeding and showing straight-Egyptian Arabians, and he became an expert on Arabian bloodlines and pedigrees. Larry also served as the President of the Kansas City Arabian Horse Association. Larry was a person of integrity and extreme moral fortitude, and was outspoken against social and economic injustice. He had a deep passion for politics and sports, and he thoroughly enjoyed discussing both at length with anyone who showed an interest. He was an avid reader and had incredible recall, which made him a superb conversationalist, as he was able to hold detailed conversations on many topics. He read five newspapers daily, and could speak about current affairs at the local, national, and international level. His favorite pastimes were watching Missouri Tigers basketball and football games, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. He always looked forward to attending Cardinals games in St. Louis with some of his closest childhood friends each summer. Larry also had a deep appreciation for the arts, and enjoyed attending the symphony, the ballet, and live music concerts with his daughter, Kari. After retirement, he also spent much of his time conducting genealogy research, and traced his family tree back more than 20 generations. Additionally, Larry loved the ocean, Stroud’s fried chicken, Corona, the smell of lilacs, and he never met a shrimp he didn’t like. Larry was a beloved son, father, Pop Pop, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. Larry will be deeply missed by his daughter Kari Allen of Kansas City, son Jae Allen of Kansas City, grandson Trenten Allen (his pride and joy), brother Gary Allen of Sturgeon, and brother Roy E. Allen Jr. of Johnston City, IL. He is further survived by one niece, one nephew, two aunts, many cousins, a large extended family, and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Pat Allen, and several extended family members. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 12:00 PM at the East Annex, 801 East Switzler, Centralia, MO. All of Larry’s family and friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Larry’s memory to the Defeat GBM Research Collaborative (https://secure2.convio.net/bts/site/Donation2?df_id=4401&4401.donation=form1) or to the National Brain Tumor Society (www.braintumor.org).

Larry Wayne Allen

October 9, 1948 - April 14, 2019