Steve Leo Allen
1932-2017
Steve Leo Allen was born November 26, 1932 at his grandmother’s house, near Manchester, Oklahoma. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, Sunday, August 27, 2017.
He was the fourth child born to Phillip and Ada Frazier Allen. He spent his childhood in Anthony, Kansas and when he was in the 8th grade the family moved to Wichita, KS, where Steve attended Plainview High School. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the ROTC program at Wichita State University. He completed his undergraduate degree in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. In May of 1955, he married DeLois (Dee) Kay Smith. The day after they were married they headed to Ft. Benning, Georgia where Steve entered basic training with the United States Army. They were stationed at Ft. Benning for a year, before Steve was sent to Korea to serve for 2 years.
Upon his return from Korea, Steve and Dee and their first born son Kent, settled in Wichita, KS where Steve began teaching school at, Peterson Elementary.
In 1958 Steve began teaching at Wichita High School East. While teaching at East he completed a master’s degree in Administration from Wichita State University. Furthering his education, he attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, the University of Illinois in Champagne, Illinois and completed a 2nd master’s degree in Economics from the University of Missouri. He retired from East High School after 35 years in 1992.
Steve and Dee had four children, Steven Kent, Patrick James, Melissa Gayle and Jason Lee and were married for 62 years this last May. They lived in Wichita, Ks for 57 years before joining three of their children in Edmond, Ok 3 years ago.
Steve was preceded in death by his parent’s Phil and Ada Allen, brother Jack Allen, sisters, Jean Mitchell, Betty Gayle Halferty and Marjorie Halter.
He is survived by his devoted wife Dee. His children Kent (Phyllis) Allen, Edmond, Ok, Patrick (Sere) Allen, Edmond, Ok, Melissa (T.J.) Lauxman, Edmond, Ok and Jason (Mary) Allen, Wichita, KS. He leaves 9 grandchildren, Kelly (Kristin) Allen, Kory (Lauren) Allen, Madison Allen, Bailey, Colby and Abby Lauxman, Adam, Emily and Jack Allen.
Steve will be laid to rest Thursday August 31, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Rosedale Cemetery, near Manchester, Oklahoma with viewing from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday at Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, Okla.
Sorry to hear of Steve’s passing, but hopefully peacefully, and condolences to the family. Sorry I had never met any of you. I had a very close relationship with he and the family. His dad helped us with our ‘vocal quartet’, we played in the little ‘Hungry Five German band” (I have continued to play out of that book until my sort of retirement from organizing and playing in groups). Also we (Steve and his dad) worked at Hill Electric during some of my college years at WSU. Steve played tuba and I played trombone and became a band director, retiring in 1994 from Great Bend public schools. Steve was great with history and that became my hobby, plus a grandson and a grand daughter that are majoring and teaching history. I have several topics I have given programs on, not just music but also western cowboy type topics; but have laid that aside as my voice doesn’t work that well anymore. I still song lead at church and play in the trombone section of our local concert and jazz bands. Steve was a loyal friend, though far away, and so many good time memories of those days as a Gremlin in Planeview High School.
I have such fond memories of “Brother Allen.” He was an amazing teacher and I enjoyed every minute of his U.S. History class and Economics classes. His dynamic teaching style made me fall in love with Economics and led me to major in the subject in college. I know that he touched the lives of a LOT of students who will always remember him as one of the most inspirational teachers they ever had. God bless Mr. Allen and his family.
Words cannot express my sadness at losing such a wonderful man. He and his wife Dee meant so much to my husband and I. They reached out to us and basically adopted us as their own. Steve helped me bring my husband to the Lord’s Church and now he is a baptized member of the Church of Christ. I will forever be grateful to him and his wife. My prayers are with his family at this time.
Missy and I extend our deepest sympathy to this fine and loving family. May God continue to comfort and guide you. I certainly enjoyed getting to know Mr Allen since they moved to Edmond. We certainly appreciate his dedication to education. God bless!!! Terry and Missy Attebery
My deepest sympathy. Brother Allen touched a lot of lives at East High. I was fortunate to be one of his students. A great teacher and man that will be missed. I still tell stories of his classes.
Nearly 40 years later, I still vividly remember him leading classes at East High School, where he was so masterful at weaving together the application of both education and pure entertainment. How lively and engaging his classes were! He was a warm, wonderful man and utterly beloved as an educator. The classroom was his stage, and he held us all spellbound. May his family be comforted by the knowledge that he helped shape the lives of so many young people. And for that, we are forever grateful…
Jeff and I want you to know how sorry we are for your loss. Brother Allen was one of our favorite and most respected teachers that we had while attending East High School. Throughout the years we have enjoyed getting to tell stories about some very memorable moments in his classroom and about what an amazing teacher and Godly man he was. God bless all of you during this difficult time.
My condolences to Steve’s families. I have many memories of his fun filled stories laughter and music he gave us at Planeview High and the years later at our class reunions (class of 1950).
When Wichita schools were honoring retirees at Cessna Stadium, Steve was given notable recognition for his service. I remember his big smile that day, well deserved !
I had a short time with usd 259 compared to him.
Steve was also a member of “the gang” boys and girls . we spent times together…simple activities like long walks to Derby, Wichita airport and later together with our growing families.
I will miss him at our reunions.
Jo Ann Sholander Gard
My prayers are with all the family, but especially Dee, in this time of transition. My parents so admired that Steve and Dee (back when they only had Kent and Patrick), would make every night of most gospel meetings at the churches in town. We usually made only one or two. I so enjoyed getting to worship and work with them a number of years at South Emporia then Northside after I moved back to Wichita in 2003. Steve was such a committed christian all the years I knew him.
Dear Dee , We will keep all of you in our prayers. We are so glad you are close to your kids at this point in life. You and Steve have been so good to us over the years , especially when Richard and I got married.
I always enjoyed singing with Steve and the group he could really play the piano.
I know you will have a big hole in your heart but I also know the Lord will
Keep you in his loving hands.
With our love,
Eddie and Dee Dee Lee
Brother Allen was an outstanding educator and an even better man. I still think, and speak, of what I learned from him and how he shared with us…including his not so subtle references to his faith that likely would get him in hot water these days. A gentleman always! Prayers of comfort to his family.
East High Blue Aces ’85
I always enjoy his funny sense of humor. I have always enjoy being at church when he preached did singing or Bible class he was very knowledgeable about the Bible and always had a history lesson as well hr always should the love of Christ in all he did by caring for his wife kids and church family he will be missed rip Steve I know he heard the words my good and faithful can’t wait to see him again
I always enjoy his funny sense of humor. I have always enjoy being at church when he preached did singing or Bible class he was very knowledgeable about the Bible and always had a history lesson as well he always shoewed love of Christ in all he did by caring for his wife kids and church family he will be missed rip Steve I know he heard the words my good and faithful can’t wait to see him again
I want to express my most sincere thoughts & condolences to the entire Allen family on the passing of their dad Steve. And especially my thoughts and prayers are for Ms. Dee, the love of his life. Steve was a man that allowed the fruits of his labor speak for himself. He was a Godly man & a humble man.
Ms. Dee, I remember you so well. It was always a joy to see you & visit with you & Steve. We all shared a common love for southern Gospel Quartet music !! May our Lord & Savior give each of you in the days, weeks & months ahead, the peace that passeth all understanding. I’ll always be thankful for my close friendship in high school & college when Kent and I sang together at many churches & events as ‘The Riverside Boys.’ God bless all of you.
Bill Hoefler, class of ’84
Brother Allen called me out as I exited class one day, Jr. Year US History; “brother Hoefler, how can you expect to pass my class without turning in your completed homework? Your consistent class participation and excellent testing are not enough to carry you.” I got the message and stepped it up to finish with a B. Remember, the sign read “virtue.” But is was oddly balanced on the obverse by a classmate with “vice.” God Speed Brother Allen! Your possitive influence affected countless many!
Lyle Moss- Class of 76
Brother Steve Allen was definitely one of my favorite teachers at East High! I enjoyed learning history from him. He made class fun. My life is better because of men like him. May God bless and comfort the Allen family!
We were so very sorry to hear the news about Uncle Steve. He was such a good, godly, talented and hilarious man who I truly loved and admired. I’m so glad my wife Pinch was able to meet him. He along with Aunt Dee raised 4 of the absolute best people I have ever known – and for that I am most grateful. He will be sorely missed.
With love –
Greg and Pinch Lee
I have such great memories of your family growing up. I will never forget his booming voice and boisterous laugh. It was so good to see you all today and hear each of you share your memories. I know he is looking down grinning from ear to ear. Uncle Steve has left a lasting legacy that will live on for generations, not just in our family but in people we will never even known. Sending love and prayers for you all in the days ahead, as he will be so greatly missed. I love you all!
Brother Allen was a masterful and engaging teacher to so many of us at East High School. I will never forget the lessons that I learned in his classroom, – lessons about history, economics and more importantly, life. What a great man and wonderful educator. Sending thoughts of comfort to his family.
Rest Steve, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
There was never a better high school economics teacher that walked the face of this earth. It was a privilege to learn from him.