Keith Eugene Allen

Keith Eugene Allen, 71, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, died May 22, 2019, in Portland, Oregon, of complications from corrective hernia surgery. A Celebration of Life will be held in Klamath Falls on Sunday, June 9th at 1:00 p.m. at his residence located at 2770 Nile Street, Klamath Falls. An additional service will be held in Blair, Nebraska, at a later date.

Keith was born November 9, 1947, in Blair, Nebraska, to Mac and Okla (Boggs) Allen. He grew up on the family farm south of Blair, where he attended McCarthy grade school and graduated from Blair High School in 1965. After graduation he went to Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska, where he specialized in collision repair, after which he worked at Blair’s Chrysler Dealership.

In 1966 Keith joined the Air Force and was trained as a munition specialist. He was assigned to Kingsley Field Air Force base in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he served in Support Combat Operations. He was deployed to Phu Cat, Viet Nam, in 1967, and was a part of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In 1969 upon his return from combat duty, he married Mary Butler of Klamath Falls, and they made their home in Las Vegas where he finished his military service. The couple settled in Blair, and he worked at the D. L. Blair Company at the start of its operations.

Always wanting a career in law enforcement, the couple returned to Klamath Falls and Keith began working as an officer with the Klamath Falls Police Department from which he retired after twenty years of service. A short time later, he began a second career with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Department.  In 1988 he married Marian “Midge” Gilbert. They continued to make their home in Klamath Falls, and he started an upholstery business.

Keith was a great story teller and is best remembered by tales he told of his experiences in Vietnam, the Police Department, Bomb Squad and SWAT Team—improving each time he told them. He had a remarkable sense of humor and could deliver quick remarks which were not only clever and funny but were perfectly timed.

He is survived by his two children, Mellisa (Kelly) Case, and Brad (Meredith) Allen; his three grandchildren, Katie (Logan) Bell, Kyler Case, and Kaileen Allen; one great-grandson, Declan;  one sister, Merri (Richard) Vinton; nephew, Chris (Paula) Vinton, and their children, Caleb and Gavin; and niece, Rebecca Vinton Dorn and her children, Austin and Elyse; plus numerous friends and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Midge, and his parents