Ernest Edward Allen

Ernest Edward Allen, 75, passed away on May 31, 2024, following a valiant fight against multiple illnesses. 

Ernie was born on October 17, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ralph Kenneth Allen and Ruby Louise Geis, the 2^nd of 9 children. He grew up in the Salt Lake area and learned to love the outdoors and the mountains. He served in the US Army following high school.  After his military service, Ernie became a skilled Master Electrician and worked for Geis Electric, started by his maternal grandfather and ultimately was run by his dad, Ralph (AL). It was on this job, 32 years ago, that Ernie suffered a near fatal accident that left him a quadriplegic.  Defying all odds, Ernie took the 12 years the doctors expected him to live and turned them into over three decades.  He was not a quitter!  

His girlfriend, Bobbie Jean Hughes, helped him through his recovery after the accident and became the love of his life. They were married on June 7, 1998. Much of Ernie’s longevity and fullness of life came to him because of Bobbie’s service and sacrifice.  She was Ernie’s Mother Teresa.  During basketball season, they attended nearly every home Jazz game and watched nearly every away game on television. Despite many hardships with Ernie’s care, they built a joyful life together, thanks to Bobbie’s loving and attentive care. They enjoyed many wonderful summer memories camping, boating and fishing at Strawberry Reservoir and Flaming Gorge. Ernie inspired legislation in Utah to allow disabled persons to obtain hunting and fishing licenses and to use “helpers” that were covered under that license. He advocated for better wheelchair accessibility at state parks, especially around boat ramps and docks.  

Ernie was also blessed with many kind and caring nurses and aides after his injury. The family expresses their appreciation to all those caregivers who touched Ernie’s life in such a positive way. You, too, contributed to the joy he experienced in living.

Ernie is survived by his wife and best friend, Bobbie Allen and his stepchildren; Kimberly (Tom) Leech, Cindy (Blaine) Burnett, Susan (Robb) Hunt, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, his siblings; Guy (Bing) Allen, Annette (Rick) Williams and Brian (Velene) Allen. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ralph and Ruby, his brothers Mark, David, Barry and John, and his sister and her husband Lori and Keven DeBoard.

A memorial celebration for friends and family will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 5:00pm at the home of Brian and Velene Allen, 2217 E. Cottonwood Cove Lane, Cottonwood Heights, UT. The family expresses thanks to Starks Funeral Parlor for their compassionate care of Ernie. Condolences can be offered at www.starksfuneral.com.