Kirby Allen

Lifelong Mexico resident, Kirby K Allen, 87, died suddenly at his home at 5:30 p.m., April 20, 2008. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Robert Marty, Rev. Sally Robinson, and Rev. Randall Sawyer officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Pickering Funeral Home. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

The son of H. H. and Ruth (Burrows), Kirby Allen was born at home on Whitley Street on November 18, 1920. He was a graduate of Mexico High School in the class of 1939. On Nov. 7, 1943, in Mexico, he married Mary E. Morris, who survives at the home.

Allen began his 47-year A. P. Green Company career in 1938 as a clerk in printing, the first Diversified Occupation (later COE) MHS student to be hired by the company. In 1939 he transferred to the laboratory as a typist, moved up to technician, was promoted to Testing foreman in 1943 and supervisor of Testing in 1946. Promoted through the years, he became Inspection supervisor in the Mexico Plant in 1954 and Chief Inspector in 1956. In 1961 he transferred to Research and was named Quality Control manager, and in 1964 was promoted to administrative assistant for Research. In 1970 he was promoted to Laboratory manager and in 1975 became the company s first Salary Administration manager, the position he held at retirement in 1985. He served a term as president of the A. P. Green Management Club. In the 1940s and 1950s he spent several years as business manager of the A. P. Green All-Stars softball team.

Always deeply involved with his community, Allen was a Jaycee (president in 1945), was elected the first president of the Mexico Council of Civic Clubs which led to the formation of the Mexico Recreation program, and was active in Kiwanis Club. He was elected to two terms on the City Council beginning in 1952, and was mayor pro tem in 1957 and 1958. He was a charter member of the Mexico Housing Authority, serving as chairman from 1958 to 1965. He served for years as chairman of the Audrain County Polio Society, a post with deep personal meaning because he was a childhood victim of the disease. He believed in advancing education and chaired the committee that founded the Mexico Vocational-Technical School. He chaired the Audrain Medical Center Expansion Fundraising Committee. He served on the Audrain County Historical Museum committee, and over the decades was an avid volunteer in PTA, Boy Scouts, United Way and the Handi-Shop board. He was awarded the Jaycees Distinguished Citizen Award in 1966 and the Mexico Public Schools Distinguished Alumni Award in 1989. He and his wife, Mary, were named Mexico Volunteers of the Year in 2003. To many listeners he continues to be known as the Voice of the Bulldogs from his 27 years as the first radio sportscaster for KXEO radio (1950-1977) providing play-by-play descriptions of hundreds of MHS football and basketball games.

He was a long-time member of the First Christian Church where he had served as deacon, elder, chairman of the board and Sunday school teacher. For more than 25 years he was the voice of the church s Dial-A-Devotion. Allen also provided pulpit supply at both First Christian Church and Midway Christian Church. In addition he conducted chapel services at the King s Daughters Home and at the Missouri Veterans Home.

In addition to his wife, Mary, survivors include four sons, Jerry, Miami Beach, Fla., Dan and wife, Teresa, Bloomington, Ind., Rod and wife, Cindy, Lee s Summit, and Mark and wife, Debbie, Odessa. Two sisters, Dorothy Knipfel and husband Robert L., Mexico, and Reita B Allen, Mexico; four grandchildren, Jessica Axmear and husband, Aaron, and Travis Allen, all of Lee s Summit, Sean Allen and wife Caroline, Oak Grove, and Neil Allen, Odessa; three great grandchildren, Mosiah, Israel and four-week old Carrianna Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the First Christian Church of Mexico, Midway Christian Church, or King s Daughters Home in Mexico. Memorials may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.