James Cecil Allen

James (Jim) C Allen 1/26/41-10/03/15 James C Allen, the Constant Gardener, known to his friends and family as Jim, was born on January 26th, 1941 to Harry and Ruth Allen, in Underwood, North Dakota. When he was 9 months old, his family moved to Spokane, WA, where he grew up in the Spokane Valley. During his summers, he would help his dad on the family farm in North Dakota. He graduated from West Valley High School in 1959. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Coast Guard, where he spent six months in boot camp, and four years in the Coast Guard reserves. During 1960-1961, Jim moved to Everett, WA, where he worked for the railroad and continued his service in the Coast Guard Reserves. In 1965, he moved to LA, California, completing his service for the Coast Guard reserves with honorable discharge in 1966. In LA, he frequently took long walks along Hermosa Beach, read literature and philosophy, and stopped by his favorite clubs to listen to the jazz, blues, folk and rock of his day. In 1968, he married Nancy Chimenti, after which they returned to Spokane, Washington and started a family. James completed two years at Spokane Falls Community College, where he further developed his love of art, botany, mathematics, philosophy and literature. From there, he transferred to Eastern Washington University, but discontinued when taking on a full-time job to support his family. His education did not stop here, however; it was during this time that he broadened his love for philosophy, history, gardening, mushroom picking, wine-making, poetry, house construction and design, artwork in a wide range of mediums (painting, mosaics, clay, mixed), and was in this way, self-educated, a Renaissance man of his time. Jim worked in the business/administrative field for over 20 years. His biggest accomplishments, however, were in more personal domains, such as the generosity he showed to his neighbors and relatives, his art projects, his poetry, continual gardening, annual wine-making, as well as his profound impact on those around him. Even as a private person, Jim found time to help his neighbors, friends, and relatives. He was a devoted and caring husband and father. James was well-liked and loved by many for his quick wit, his pointed sense of humor, his verbal honesty, his integrity, and his love of nature, people and animals. Many described him as a second father, someone who was willing to listen and always ready to lend a helping hand. He was many things to many people. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ruth Allen, (Peterson) and Harry Allen, his brothers, Harry Allen Junior and Roger Allen, and his sisters, Bonnie Wood and Betty Moore. He is survived by his sister, Wanda Halverson, his beloved wife, Nancy Allen, his cherished daughters, Angelia and Anna, his two beautiful granddaughters, Ava and Mia, and his several nieces and nephews. Jim would like to be remembered for who he was, most likely, strolling down his garden paths, bantering with neighbors and enjoying a glass of wine. At his request, no funeral or memorial services will be held.