Private graveside services for Dewey W. Allen, 91, of Ada were held on May 25th at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada.
Born in Ada, OK to Dewey M. and Mary Allen. He attended Hayes Elementary school and Horace Mann High School. He served in the Air Force teaching instrumental flying from 1942-1946. While in the Air Force he met Marian Nelson and married her on July 4, 1943.
Mr. Allen attended East Central University and graduated in 1949 and moved to Seminole to teach and coach tennis. He coached there from 1949 – 1966. The first state tennis tournament began in 1958 and his boys won state championships from 1958 – 1966. He then moved to Midwest City in 1966 and started a tennis program at Midwest City High School. Mr. Allen ran youth tennis camps every summer until retiring in 1981. He had several state doubles and singles champions during that time.
In 1976 he was voted “Tennis Coach of the Year” for District 5 in Midwest City. He was USTA Missouri Valley Section Oklahoma District Hall of Fame Inductee in 2002. He was inducted into the ECU Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985.
Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Marian Allen.
He is survived by 3 children, Dewey N. Allen and wife Joyce; Mary Larsh and husband Alan; and Melodie Allen; 6 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and special friend of 63 years, Duane Oliver.
Special thanks to Sienna Extended Care and Rehab in Midwest City for all their care and kindness. Also a very special thank you to Dr. Steve Ditto for taking such good care of our father and granddad.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to USTA Serves in Dewey W. Allen’s name, 70 West Red Oak Ln., White Plains, NY 10604, 914-696-7223.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
