Ralph Allison

In memory of an amazing husband, wonderful father and beautiful man. Ralph Leroy Allison was born May 22, 1936 in Greensburg, PA. He was preceded in death by his mother Marie, Father Leroy, and 3 of his sisters; Arlene, Louella, and Glady. He is survived by his Wife Karen, 1 sister Mae, his 3 daughters Anne, Karen and Lydia, his 4 stepchildren; Darren, Naleen, Reenie and Brina, 18 Grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He was the youngest child of 5 and the only boy for parents Marie and Leroy Allison. He had 4 older sisters, Arlene, Louella, Glady and Mae. He attended high school with the Greensburg High School class of 1954 and immediately joined the Army. During High School he decided to join the army, and while in the Army, he met his first wife Fran. He was married to Fran for 20 years and spent most of those 20 years in the Army. He was blessed with 3 beautiful daughters from that first marriage: Anne Allison, Karen Allison and Lydia Gosselin. He chose to marry again and courageously took on a second family. His second wife Karen was married to him for 37 years and provided him with a ready made family of 1 son and 3 daughters: Darren Sewell, Naleen Bostrom, Reenie Sewell, and Brina Steele. He joined the Army in 1953 at 17, forging his birth certificate to join early. Alas it was a very bad forgery, so his mother signed him up because he was determined to join. He started his career as a truck driver, moved on to helicopter maintenance as the crew chief, then Cobra Chopper Pilot, and finished his career as a Flight Instructor. His tours included Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. He earned The Vietnam Campaign medal w/60s device, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal w/23 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal w/1 oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 4 OS Bars, Vietnam Service medal w/6 devices, and the Bronze Service Star. He retired in the grade of Chief Warrent Officer W3 on 30 June 1973 at Ft. Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, CO. He followed this Army career with long term career at King Pin Bowling Center Working as the manager. He took a short break from that and went to Germany to work for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation for 4 years as the assistant manager then manager, of another bowling center. His final career was, as he stated at one of his Greensburg High School reunions, House Engineer. Ralph was an amazing individual and a truly wonderful man and father. There are so many fond memories of Ralph, and almost all of them make us laugh. That laughter is a true testament to who he was. He was the most patient of teachers and always had a smile to share, even in the most difficult of times. His life was one that is to be celebrated as he taught us much about living life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed, and always remembered with laughs and smiles. Our deepest love to a wonderful husband, father and friend.