Russell Hoopes Allen

Notes:

Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV): December 11, 2005, Section: News, Page: 6B

ALLEN, RUSSELL

Russell Hoopes Allen, a 26 year teacher of mathematics at Roy Martin Middle School, died peacefully at his home in Mesa, Ariz., Nov. 13, 2005, at age 91.

He was born in Mesa, Ariz., July 14, l914, to John Seymour Allen and Barbara Ann Phelps Allen, the ninth of 12 children.

Russell grew up on the family farm in Gilbert, Ariz. He was very active in sports at Mesa Union High School, lettering all four years in football, basketball and baseball. He was on two state championship teams.

In 1935, at age 20, he was called on an LDS Church mission to the Samoan Islands. He first served as a cowboy on the church cattle ranch, then served as a school teacher for the rest of his mission. He loved the Islands, the people, and teaching.

Returning home in 1938, he married his high school sweetheart, Eva Webb, in the Salt Lake Temple. He then entered college at Logan, Utah.

Two daughters were born in Logan; Vangie Mae and Loa. After graduation he was one of four teachers at the school in Kirtland, N.M. He was very active in the church, serving in the bishopric and other positions. He coached sports and taught agriculture and shop.

He and his wife, Eva, were active in civic affairs. He really enjoyed pitching softball and winning. Pitching a no-hitter was his joy. Daughters, Rozetta (deceased) and Sandra were born in New Mexico.

The family returned to Logan, Utah, and Russell earned a masters degree. Another daughter, Betty Jean (BJ) was born. In l955, he was principal of Pahranagat Valley Schools in Alamo. He taught agriculture, chemistry and coached the first football team from Alamo. After four years he took a job with Roy Martin Middle School where he taught for 26 years. He retired and then substitute taught for several more years, often challenging his students to arm wrestle. He and Eva took two of their grandchildren (Chris and Rachael Purcell) with them for another church teaching mission to Kiribati (Tarawa) in the South Pacific. In 1993, they moved to Mesa, Ariz. He played a slow-pitch softball game to mark his 80th birthday and received a standing ovation.

Eva died in June 2004. When asked by one of his daughters if he ever felt "teacher burnout." He said, "No, I always found something to love in each and every one of my students." He will be missed.

Funeral services were previously held in Mesa, Ariz., with burial in Kirtland, N.M.


Buried:
Burial:
Kirtland Cemetery
Kirtland
San Juan County
New Mexico, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 35649160

Russell married Eva Webb 4 Jun 1938, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Eva was born 6 Sep 1915; died 2 Jun 2004. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Burial:
Kirtland Cemetery
Kirtland
San Juan County
New Mexico, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 53245974