Jerry Keith Allen

Jerry Keith Allen

March 15, 1940 - October 1, 2025

Jerry Keith Allen, 85, retired President and Chairman of the Board, Allen Millwork Co., passed away Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Per Jerry's wishes no Services will be held. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Carol Allen, his parents, Raymond Allen and Neva Weston and his great-granddaughter Lillian Ornelas. Survivors include son, Jay (Lisa) Allen; daughter, Cindy Allen; grandchildren, Matthew Allen and Megan (Jesus) Ornelas, great-grandson Aiden Ornelas and brother Don (Jane) Allen.

Jerry Keith Allen was born March 15, 1940 to Ray and Neva Allen at the Wichita Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up learning to hunt and fish with his father and brother and fondly remembered traveling to visit family and go camping in the Ozarks and Colorado.

While attending school, Jerry met and fell in love with his future wife and life partner Carol Cole (Allen). They were proud graduates of Wichita North High School class of 1958 and enjoyed helping plan and participate in reunions with their classmates.

Jerry attended Wichita University and graduated with a degree in business. He and Carol enjoyed attending Shocker athletic events including volleyball, basketball and especially baseball. They were enthusiastic supporters of the WSU Battery club and enjoyed meeting and feeding the players of many opposing teams. They traveled coast to coast with the Shockers and attended many basketball and baseball tournament games. Their fondest memory was attending the Final Four Tournament in 2013.

Jerry and Carol were married in 1961 and had 2 children, Jay in 1963 and Cindy in 1966. Jerry loved being a father to his children and enjoyed coaching Cindy's softball team and being a Scout leader for Jay's Scout Troop. The family took regular vacations to Table Rock Lake and to ski in Colorado. They also traveled together in conjunction with business conventions or meetings and car races. Jerry towed the family pop-up camper on many of these trips.

Jerry was an active member of the Wichita Jaycees and helped set up and run haunted houses and the Lake Afton Grand Prix. Jerry loved all types of car races, especially road races and attended many all across the country including the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, 24 Hours of Daytona, IMSA and TransAm. Jay and Cindy loved going to races with their Dad.

At the age of 10, his father Raymond started Allen Millworks and Jerry learned what would become his life-long vocation while working for the family business. When his father became ill, Jerry took over running Allen Millwork Company. He was very proud of the company's success and later that his son Jay and grandson Matthew were going to follow in his footsteps. Jerry was an active member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute and received the Honorary Lifetime Membership award for his many years of service to the association and industry. He helped organize and run the VICA and later the Skills USA Kansas State and National Cabinetmaking Competitions. He and Carol enjoyed traveling to meet with industry friends every year.

Jerry loved his daughter-in-law Lisa and his Grandchildren Matthew and Megan. He loved cooking for family and hosting family dinners. Jerry and Carol took Matthew and Megan on many trips, participated in their school and extra-curricular activities and especially enjoyed visiting them while they were attending college at Bethany in Lindsborg.

After retiring, Jerry and Carol enjoyed traveling the country by motorhome, visiting all 50 states. They especially loved their trip to Alaska where they visited many ports by small boat and traveled to Denali National Park by train.

Jerry was a long time member of the Wichita A's Model A Ford club and regularly participated in road trips and swap meets with club members. He enjoyed driving his Model A all around, especially to the Farmers Market where he purchased fruits and vegetables and visited with the many vendors he frequented.

When Carol's health declined, Jerry was her caregiver and tended to her every need. They were members of the Sedgwick County Zoo and loved visiting regularly together to see their favorite animals and exhibits. They loved to drive to Pawnee Prairie Park to look for deer in the evenings.

After Carol's death, Jerry enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He especially loved seeing his great-grandson Aiden who he called A.D. Aiden loved his "Gramps."

Jerry passed away Wednesday, October 1st surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by his family and by all of his friends.

A memorial in Jerry's name has been established with the Sedgwick County Zoo direct donor line (316) 266-8218. Share condolences at www.cozine.com. Broadway Mortuary