Forrest R. Allen

(Feb. 28, 1921 - Jan. 18, 2019)

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Forrest  R. Allen, 97, of Cody passed away on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at Spirit Mountain Hospice House surrounded by loving family.

He was born on Feb. 28, 1921, to Stanley and Carrie Rozen (Ullman) Allen in Big Timber, Montana. Forrest grew up working on the family ranch in the Big Snowy Mountains. In 1939, Forrest graduated from Ryegate High School.

On Sept. 8, 1942, Forrest was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corp. where he served as a flight engineer in the 47th Bomber Group in World War II. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. When he returned home to Montana, Forrest put his name in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation drawing for a homestead near Heart Mountain. In 1948 his name was drawn and he chose #89, the last section along the Cody/Powell Highway.

In 1956, Forrest married Alma Ottilli, whom he had met in Columbus, Ohio, in 1942, while he was stationed there attending aircraft engine school. Alma passed in 1982.

In 1983, Forrest married widow Esther Smith, whom he had met in Cody. Esther passed in 1989. In November 1990, Forrest married Carole (Wilbanks) Estes, whom he had met while attending Eastern Star/Masonic meetings in Cody. Carole passed in 2014. They traveled all over the U.S., into Mexico and to Europe. Camping was also an enjoyed pastime with friends and family. Many trips were made back east to Wisconsin and Iowa where some great card games were played. In recent years 13 has become the card game of choice around the house with the kids, grandkids, and caregivers. Forrest taught us all well but it sure was hard to get a win past him!

Forrest farmed his land and raised sheep, retiring from custom farming at age 92. He enjoyed custom carpentry and had beautiful woodworking skills, making many pieces for family and friends to enjoy.

Forrest was passionate about serving his community as well. He served many years on the conservation district and served a whopping 59 years on the Park County Fire District No. 2 board of directors after serving as a volunteer fireman.  He was a 70-plus year member of the Lavina Temple Masonic Lodge and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.

In 2014, Forrest set up a fund at Northwest College in Powell for agricultural scholarships that will continue to help students for years and years to come.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Carrie Allen, his only brother, Irwin Allen, of Ryegate, Montana, his wife, Carole Allen and his brother-in-law, Ron Neal of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Forrest is survived by step-daughter Wendy (Mike) Capps of Cody and step-son Chad (Denise) Estes of Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren Zach and Amanda Capps and Kane and Daniel Estes; the Ullman Family of Big Timber, Montana; sister-in-law Patricia Neal of Ankeny, Iowa; brother-in-law Austin (Pat) Wilbanks of Grimes, Iowa; and many extended family members and friends.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Spirit Mountain Hospice House for their loving care of Forrest.

Services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. at Ballard Funeral Home, 636 19th Street, Cody, with committal to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Cody.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cody Volunteer Fire Dept., 1125 11th St., Cody, WY 82414, or to the Northwest College Foundation — Ag Dept., Orendorff Building, 231 W. 6th St. Bldg 1, Powell, WY 82435.

An online memorial is available at www.BallardFH.com.

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