David Carroll Allen

David Carroll Allen, 73, died Dec. 19, 2012, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. A memorial service was Dec. 25 at the Big Lake Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses with Kyle Forbush officiating.

Dave was born May 22, 1939, in Battle Creek, Mich., and became a resident of Alaska in 1980. He was a man of many careers, but primarily was a very successful self-employed carpenter.

Dave, a very faithful Jehovah’s Witness, enjoyed going door to door in the Bible ministry work. His special interests included teaching, preaching, work, fishing and traveling.

Surviving are his wife, Catherine Allen of Wasilla; daughters, Angela Ramirez and Emma Markley of Wasilla, and Elizabeth Larabel of Wayland, Mich.; sons, David Allen Jr. of Anchorage, Daniel Allen, Abraham Allen and Joseph Allen, all of Wasilla; sisters, Virginia Allen and Pamela Gurd of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Marilyn Silberbauer of Powhatan, Va.; brother, Maurice Gurd of Grand Rapids, Mich.; father, Carroll “CB” Allen of Albion, Mich.; granddaughters, Crystal Larabel, Ava Allen, Corin Allen, Elloise Allen and Priya Verasammy, all of Wasilla, Ashley Larabel of Wayland, Mich., Cynthia Ramirez of Anchorage, Tiffany San Andres of Barrow and Camille Allen of Grand Rapids, Mich.; grandsons, John Larabel of Wayland, Mich., Austine Gonzales of Wasilla and Angel Gonzalez of San Diego, Calif.; great-granddaughters, Liberty Morse of Wasilla and Payton McKay of Anchorage; great-grandsons, Justin Morse of Wasilla and Julian Ashbrook of Wayland, Mich.

Preceding him in death was his mother, Pauline Gurd; stepfather, Edward Gurd; and grandson, Michael Gonzalez.

Dave will be missed by all his family and friends.

“He was a great husband of 51 years, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, son and friend,” his family wrote. “His love for his family, Jehovah God and the Bible is what stands out the most in his life. We are happy for the time we were able to share with him. We look forward to seeing him again.”