Obituary of Gerald J. "Jerry" Allen

Gerald J. Allen (67) resident of St. Maries, ID, died May 4, 2015 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born November 20, 1947 to Kathleen (Collins) and Glen Allen Jr. at Whitehall, Montana. Jerry grew up on the family ranch at Whitehall, Montana where he spent every minute he could fishing, hunting and working with his father and grandfather. His senior year of high school when the family sold the ranch he moved to Bigfork, Montana. He graduated from Big Fork High School with the class of 1966. He then attended the University of Montana. Jerry married Laura Holmes on October 24, 1967 at Missoula, Montana. While attending school, Jerry worked nights at the White Pine Sash mill in Missoula. In 1974, he moved his young family to Deer Lodge, Montana and he began working as a Fireman/Hostler Helper for the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway in Anaconda, Montana. In 1976, Jerry went to work for the Milwaukee Road as a Brakeman/Yardman with trips into St. Maries, Idaho. Later that same year, Jerry returned to work for the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway in his former position. In 1980, he became a management trainee and the family moved to Anaconda, Montana. He was promoted to Trainmaster/General Yardmaster in April of 1980. He was again promoted to Transportation Superintendent in July of 1980 until 1985 when the Anaconda Company shut down the operation of the railway. In 1985, he began to work for Kyle Railways, Inc., a railway management company, as General Manager of the California Western Railroad at Fort Bragg, California where his family enjoyed living on the north coast. In 1993, the company transferred Jerry and his wife to St. Maries which he fondly remembered from his Milwaukee Railway service. He became General Manager of the St. Maries River Railroad. In 2001, Potlatch Corporation resumed direct management of the railroad and he continued as General Manager until 2006. Jerry retired from railroad service in 2007. Jerry was an avid, expert fly fisherman and enjoyed hunting. He was a wonderful father and husband and he instilled in his family the same love and respect of the outdoors that he grew up with. He taught his young wife, Laura, to fish and handle the oars on the drift boat and to his chagrin she often out fished him. The family enjoyed floating and fishing almost every Montana River, backpacking, cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, hiking, and camping. He was so happy to move to St. Maries where fishing and camping on the beautiful Joe was not only one of Jerry’s greatest enjoyments but also for all of his family. It became a favorite family gathering every year. Jerry is survived by his wife Laura at the family home. His daughter Lisa Allen and daughter and son-in-law Diane and Luke Weatherman, grandsons, Seth and Christian all of Chico, CA. Jerry is also survived by his mother Kathleen Allen of St. Maries, sisters and brothers-in-law Wanda and Mark Rotar and Sandra and Dave Gans all of Missoula, MT and Glenda and Bob Benke of Kalispell, MT. Jerry was preceded in death by his father Glen Allen, Jr., his brother Wayne Allen and his niece Dana Sierer. His family will again gather at the river in celebration of his life at a later date and time to be announced. Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 or Hospice of Benewah County, 307 W. Jefferson, St. Maries, ID 83861.