John H. Allen was a man of integrity whose actions matched his words. He passed away on January 27 after a brief illness. It is his clarity of speaking truth in word and deed that leaves those of us left behind feeling the loss of his presence so keenly. Most everyone agrees that John did not say a lot or impose his presence. But when he did speak, everyone listened. His family and many friends say he was a mentor to them and when he gave advice or offered his wisdom, he did so in a thoughtful, straightforward manner that left them feeling more, not less. As one friend stated, "He didn't just know you, he touched you." John's influence went further, calling forth the best in people. A plaque given to him upon his departure from his job at Opportunities, Inc. said it best: "You touched me, and I grew." Born in Lewistown, Montana on November 6, 1936, John was the third child of Lester Allen and Vera (Ahlgren) Allen. He grew up in Denton, Montana where the family farmed wheat. Although he aspired to be a farmer like his dad, his parents insisted he get a college education first. He chose Northern Montana College and received a BS in Education. As it turned out, John's calling was growing people, not wheat.John began his career with the Cascade County Welfare Department initiating a 20-year period of working as an advocate for change in services to poor and disadvantaged communities. John then worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. In 1965, John began working for Cascade County's anti-poverty community action program, Opportunities, Incorporated, first as assistant director and later as director. John believed in the role of both state and federal programs to assist people in helping themselves and he used his administrative skill and effective communication to tap as many of the programs as he could. Essential in that was identifying and involving leaders from among the people Op Inc served. In 1973, John became the executive director of the Alcohol Rehabilitation Association of Southwestern MT in Helena. John next joined state government and from 1974-1982, John held positions of bureau chief and later Deputy Administrator in the Department of Community Affairs, Human Resources Division under Governor Tom Judge. In 1983, John made a career change and began working as a broker with G.T. Murray & Co. In 1987, John and his colleague, Jim Turcotte, moved to D.A. Davidson and Co. and secured the contract to administer the State Deferred Compensation Program. They, along with executive assistant and longtime friend Merilee Coleman, administered this program until 1996. John was a leader and an effective presence on many boards including Big Brothers and Sisters of Helena, Montana Health Systems Agency, Helena Chapter of the Red Cross, Montana Tax Appeal Board, The Friendship Center. John later used his financial and insurance background, along with his marvelous people skills, to support he and his wife Genevieve's successful home acupuncture business in Vancouver, Washington until their retirement in 2014. Despite his numerous career accomplishments, John received the most joy, satisfaction, and pride from his family. John married Susan Bisson of Helena, MT in 1964 and they had three children, Judi, Jenni, and John. John and Susan later divorced and in 1984, two Sisters of Providence, Kitsy Rutan, S.P. and Margaret Botch, S.P. introduced John to Genevieve Connor from Vancouver, Washington. John and Genevieve married on December 26, 1984 and lived in Helena until they moved to Washington State in the mid-nineties as Genevieve completed her M.A. in Acupuncture and Asian Studies. In 2015 the two moved back to Montana to be closer to his children and grandchildren and his roots. Since 2017, they have resided in East Helena across from JFK Park, where from their living room John loved watching the beautiful trees change with the seasons.A true Montanan, John loved the outdoors. He and his family loved to climb Mt. Helena, trek through Glacier Park, and hike the various trails throughout the Columbia River Gorge. He also attended countless sporting events. He traveled across the state for Capital High games with his children, cheered on his grandchildren from the bleachers, and enjoyed sitting in the stands at Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks games with his family.John loved watching his three children grow into adulthood, establish themselves, and become parents and then experiencing his three grandchildren evolve and grow into adulthood. John's love for his family is reflected by how beloved he was by his family. We appreciated his sense of humor and lovingly recall instances when he would interject his wit even in the last week of his life. A positive person, John often paraphrased Mark Twain: "I had a lot of trouble in my time, but most of it never happened." We all look up to Big John as a role model and hope something of his noble nature has rubbed off on us. He was gentle with the truth and was always open to a warm embrace. Friends and family knew him as a solid reassurance in their lives. A quiet mountain of strength who shied away from drawing attention to himself, John took joy in the love of others. John epitomized that showing gentleness takes nothing away from one's strength. Thank you, John, for the lives you touched, and for the growth you inspired in all who knew you.John is survived by his wife and beloved soul mate, Genevieve; his daughter, Judi Allen; and grandsons, Brent Pilon and Travis Pilon and his wife, Kacey all of Helena; his daughter, Jenni (Allen) Byrnes and son-in-law, David of Saint Augustine, FL, and granddaughter, Ash Byrnes of Oklahoma City, OK; his son, John Allen and longtime partner, Jill Boettcher of Helena; his brother, Lester Allen of Denton; and his sister, Corinne (Allen) Bondy of Monroe, MI. The family wishes to give special thanks to Gen's beloved cousin, Teri Kirkpatrick, RN, who lovingly helped with John's care during his short hospice time. To the wonderful nursing staff at St. Peter's Hospital, we recognize how amid short staffing and the pressures of our current health crisis, you found the time to care for him with such thoroughness and tenderness. Tiff and Rebecca, you are wonderful. We also wish to give special mention to RN Corinna, CNA Tanara, and chaplain Trish from Encompass Hospice for their tender care.John has been cremated. Our family is planning a special celebration of John's beautiful life and we will announce this later. We hope all who knew and loved his spirit will join us in blessing his life.