Allen Fender

Allen Fender, 66, died of an apparent heart attack at his home Saturday in Lawrence, KS.  Allen was a 1963 graduate from Russell High School where he participated in sports, most notably football and basketball.  He attended the University of Oklahoma and the University of Missouri at Kansas City.  Allen served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968 as a flight scheduler stationed at Panama City, Florida; Taipei, Taiwan; and Richards Gebaur Air Force Base in Belton, MO where he met his wife of 42 years, Marilyn.

Allen was known by his friends and family for his big and generous heart, caring smile and hearty laugh, enjoying his family and company of his dog, Lucy.  The loves of his life were his three granddaughters and attending the LHS sporting events of his three nephews, Chad, Ryan and Jason.

Allen was retired having worked as an independent oil producer and as a telecommunications salesperson/marketer/independent consultant at Southwestern Bell (now AT&T), Sprint, St. Andrews Telecommunications, among others.

Allen considered himself a broker of people and, as such, worked constantly to bring people with common interest together.  He was generous and giving.  After 50 years he still kept in close contact with his beloved classmates from high school.

Allen is survived by his wife, Marilyn of the home; his daughter, Katie and husband, Tom; three granddaughters, Audrey, Allee, and Olivia, Wellsville, KS; his mother, Mildred; sister, Patty; and brother, Jim, all of Lawrence; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Fender, Sr.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 10 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, KS, at 11 a.m.  His family asks that when you come, bring a picture and a story about Allen to share with friends and family.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donate to Lawrence High Athletics or offer a kind hand to someone in need, as Allen always did.
 

30 Condolences

  1. Pam Alexander on September 5, 2011 at 7:16 am

    To Marilyn and Katie and all of the Fender extended family, I am so sorry for your loss. May you be granted courage and comfort in the coming days and weeks.



  2. Suzi Benkowitz (Kim Pester) on September 5, 2011 at 9:30 am

    Allen, I will cherish the memories of you. I will continue to practice the lessons you taught me and I will miss you terribly. Marilyn, Katie and the Fender Family, I am so sorry for your loss and I pray for peace with you all while you work through this difficult time.



  3. Linda Koester-Vogelsang on September 5, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Our hearts are broken. the world has lost a great man. Allen embodied all of the great traits that we all hope to accomplish. I am certain the angels are rejoicing with Allen’s company…. Our thoughts and prayers are being sent for Marilyn and the whole family.
    Steve, Linda, Ethan, Luke, Kyle and Sydney



  4. Brooke Hauch on September 5, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    To Marilyn and the Fender extended family, I am very sorry for your huge and sudden loss. Our team that you have supported so well over the years will be thinking of you during this difficult time and wishing you comfort and support.



  5. Brendon Allen on September 6, 2011 at 9:02 am

    To MArilyn and the rest of the family I am sorry to hear the sad news. Always had fun talking to Allen and know Jim must be crushed to lose a brother so close to him. Marilyn you know the allens will always be there if you or your family needs anything.



  6. Larry Sinks on September 6, 2011 at 10:14 am

    I want to extend my warmest and most sincere prayers to the entire Fender family. I know this is such a difficult time. Allen was a great man and loved his family very much. Rest in peace brother.



  7. Dawn Cramer on September 6, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Katie & Marilyn,
    May the joy that Allen brought to all of us bring you peace during this difficult time. Katie-you know I always thought of your dad as my “second dad”! I will never forget his smile, laugh & kind words. I am here for you whenever you need me. Love, Dawn



  8. Wayne Briscoe on September 6, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    It has taken me several days to get my head wrapped around the loss of Allen.He was and always will be a true friend to me. We have so often talked about how family and friends are all we truly have in this world. My sincere condolences to his “lovely bride Marilyn” and all the rest of the Fender family. I wept. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need anything. 785-766-9249



  9. Clair & Maureen Swann on September 6, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    Maureen and I extend our greatest sympathy to Marilyn and family. Allen engendered respect from all people who met him. He was a kind man; a generous man. Allen was, and still is, a gentleman.



  10. Satya and Muthu on September 6, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    Dear Marilyn,
    Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Will keep you in our prayers.



  11. Janet Delgado and family on September 6, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    To the family of Allen Fender;

    I am deeply saddened and so very sorry for your loss. I did not know Allen but I do know Katie. I can only imagine his generosity, his loving spirit, his sense of humor and adventure. I see all of these in abundance in his daughter and in his grandaughters and I am positive that they learned this from the best teacher there was. He will be truly missed.
    Sincerely,
    Janet Delgado



  12. Diana Evans Knoles on September 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    Allen, I have known you since grade school, and I will truly miss you. You were the consummate networker, and a loyal and honest friend. Dick and I so enjoyed being around you and Marilyn. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn, Katie and Tom and family, and the multitude of others who love you.



  13. Miles & Paula Schnaer on September 6, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    To the Fender family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Our best!!



  14. Pam Castor on September 6, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    My deepest sympathies to Marilyn(a high school friend of mine) and her family, and to Allen’s family. May God bless you and yours and keep you strong through this difficult time.



  15. Earl and Dee Anne Waters on September 7, 2011 at 1:01 am

    I was very sad to hear of Al’s death. Al was always cheerful and willing to chat with me whenever I was with him. He was very kind and I enjoyed his company. So for Marilyn, Jim, and all of Al’s family, please accept my sincerest condolences. I will miss him a great deal.

    Earl and Dee Anne Waters



  16. Jeff Koron on September 7, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Jim Fender Family; my deepest regrets to all of you from the KORON family.



  17. Kerry Q. Triplett on September 7, 2011 at 10:51 am

    My condolence to the Fender family. I only worked with Allen for a short while at Sprint Nextel, but he made a huge impression on me



  18. Jerry & Gary Mitchell on September 7, 2011 at 11:37 am

    To the Fender family we want to let you know how very sad we are for your loss. Allen was a great guy and always was so friendly. I knew the family through his sister, Patty, and mother, Mildred. We are thinking of you all and love you. Hodie and Gary



  19. Gary and Penny Johnson on September 7, 2011 at 11:52 am

    Marilyn and family,
    We were so sad to hear of Al’s passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you. The cul-de-sac will never be the same. See you at the service on Sat.



  20. John Brewer on September 7, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Elaine and I send our sympathy and wishes for getting through one day at a time.



  21. Craig Schaffer on September 7, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Allen buddy, enjoy heaven; you are a great guy and will be missed. I worked with Allen at Sprint; we had a lot to talk about with oil and all (being western kansas boys). He’s a great guy and I’m sorry for your loss (Gods gain though).



  22. David Anderson on September 7, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Many years ago I spent numerous evenings conversing with Allen at 704 N.H. St. Allen was class act with a warm smile and a gentle soul. My deepest condolences to the Fender family.



  23. Tammy Steeples on September 8, 2011 at 5:56 am

    Katie, Marilyn, Jim and all the family – we will be out of town on Saturday, but will be thinking of you and praying for healing comfort for your family at this time of loss.



  24. Mary Narron on September 8, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear of Allen’s passing. There is little I can say to help you at this difficult time but please know I am thinking of you now and in the days ahead. You are in my prayers.



  25. Dick and Jo Chastain on September 8, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    Our sincere condolences to Allen’s family. We met Marilyn for the first time in Russell this year, but had seen Allen a couple of times. My brother-in-law Allan Chastain kept us entertained with many stories of he and Allen. We are sorry for your loss.



  26. Michael Saunders on September 9, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    It has been many years since I last saw Al. I saw the notice in the KC Star and was saddened to hear of his passing. I remember at brother Jim’s bachelor party in Las Vegas sitting down at breakfast with Al, who did not know how to play Keno. I told him to pick 6 random #’s and be prepared to lose. He chose his Birthday, Wedding Anniversary and date of leaving the service. Of course he won a couple of hundred dollars and thought Keno was the best game going. My best wishes to the Fender family. So sorry for your loss.–Satch



  27. Al Quint on September 9, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Al Quint



  28. Chuck and Yvonne Hedges on September 10, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    “Words won’t ease your sorrow, but hearts can share your pain.” So sorry to hear of Allen’s death. We extend our sincere condolences to the Fender Family.



  29. Yvonne and Chuck Hedges on September 10, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Words won’t ease your sorrow, but hearts can share your pain. We exten our sincere condolences to the entire Fender family.



  30. KATHY FORCK on September 11, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    Marilyn and Family, Mike and I are so sorry to hear about the loss of a wonderful husband and father.

    I will never how we had those double dates in Kansas City back in the sixty-nine. You and he fell so madly in love, I will never forget how you used to giggle and flirt with him with your beautiful blue eyes. He was hooked and so were you. He was an outstanding man then and he grew in love and kindness through the years.

    You are all in our prayers and may God bless you all and give you His grace.

    Love, Kathy



Leave a Condolence