Ivan Clay Allen

There are numerous things to say of Ivan Clay Allen, age 66, whom passed away comfortably and peacefully in his home on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. He was formerly a Sparta resident for 35 years where he served on the Christian County Ambulance District Board and Fire Department for 3 years. While providing financially for his family driving truck for Associated Wholesale Grocers for 31 years, he also took time to coach sports for his children and helped start the Sparta Sports League back in the 1980s. He has been an Ozark resident for the past 6 years where he continued to abundantly express his selflessness in serving others. He had many loves and joys in his life, but he loved our Lord first and foremost and witnessed for him throughout his adult life and even throughout his battle the last 4 months. He and Charlene were married for almost 47 years. He loved family, and his grandchildren always put a smile on his face. He loved hunting and fishing all his life, but his latest love was taking trips, big and small, on his motorcycle along with Charlene, his brother Dale, and his sister Rosie and brother-in-law Kenny. Ivan served 8 years in the Armed Forces. The thing he enjoyed most was training the Color Guard for C Company in Fort Hood, Texas. He drove convoy as direct support for the troops from Thailand into Vietnam and hauled payroll throughout Thailand. He was a decorated Sergeant E5 at just 18-years old and acquired his Expert (Rifle) Marksmanship and National Defense Service Medal for his service to his country. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister when she was seven and one of his heroes, Lowell (L.C.) Hull who had a huge influence on his life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Charlene; children, Sonia Roussell and husband Phillip, Melissa Dollarhide and husband Randy, and Jason Allen and wife Jaime; grandchildren, Brandilyn, Abbey and husband Josh, Dalton, Savanah, Shane, Allita, Alisha, and Jasmine; four brothers, two sisters, and their spouses; several nieces and nephews; and many special people he considered friends, sisters, brothers, and grandchildren; and his fur kids, Laddy and Kyra. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Fellowship Lighthouse Church, Bruner, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark with Reggie Micham officiating. Burial will follow in Bruner Cemetery.