DON L. ALLEN
Donnie (Don) Lee Allen was born in Dinuba, California on January 28, 1932, to Horace J Allen and Mary Crump Allen. The family soon moved back to Texas where he attended school in Graham, Texas, graduating high school in 1949. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and received a B.A. Degree. Don died suddenly, early Wednesday morning, April 26, 2017, at his home in Helena.
In 1952, he was married to Carole Gray. In 1958, Don and his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was offered an employment opportunity. He became very involved in community activities and the New Mexico Republican Party. He was elected as a delegate to New Mexico’s 1969 Constitutional Convention and, in 1970, to New Mexico’s House of Representatives.
Afterward, Don went to work as the Associate Executive Director of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. In 1975, Don accepted the position of Executive Director of the Montana Petroleum Association. He resigned from that position in 1984 to establish Allen and Associates, a Public and Government Relations firm and also to become the Republican Lt. Governor candidate.
In 1986, he ran for the U.S. House of Representative in the Western District, when Montana still had two Congressmen. Don then served as Executive Director of Montana Wood Products Association, until 1992, continuing to lobby for that organization as well as numerous other clients.
Don met Mary Backway Goggin while she was an International Teaching Fellow, on exchange from Australia to Capital High School, in Helena. When she returned to Montana the next year, they married in December, 1992, and she joined him as a partner in his Government Relations firm.
In 1997, Don became Executive Director for the Western Environmental Trade Association (WETA), an organization that Don had helped establish in 1976, and served on the Inaugural Board of Director’s. That arrangement continued until Don retired in 2011. Don had a long and successful career being involved in the political process and he truly enjoyed working with legislators and other elected officials and agency people through the years.
He is preceded in death by both his parents; his sister Gurene Monday; and brother-in-law Jack Shepherd.
He is survived by his wife, Mary C. Allen; sons Darris Allen (Valerie) of Denver, Colorado, and Timothy Allen (Suzanne) of Prescott, Arizona; grandsons Brandon Allen, Dania Beach, Florida, and Austin (Mallory) Williamsburg, Virginia, and granddaughter Annabel Allen, of Denver, Colorado; sister, Lela Shepherd of Boyd, Texas; and nieces and nephews.
In addition, Don is survived by his mother-in-law, Christine (Chrissie) Backway, of Wodonga, Australia; step-son, Andrew Goggin (Rose Portia) and their children Shanae, Michaela and Jordan Goggin, and Vanessa and Christian Portia of Melbourne, Australia; and step-daughter Deidre Grofski (Jeremy) and their children Jessica, Levi, Christian, Noah, Jack and Jaydon Grofski, of Sydney, Australia; sisters-in-law Kathryn Kemp (Ian) of Wodonga, Australia, and Robyn Fishman (Edward) of Springhurst, Australia; brothers-in-law Jeffrey Backway (Ann) of Melbourne, Australia and Kevin Backway (Ruth) of Prescott, Arizona.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. A reception will follow in the Social Hall of the funeral home. Inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Don are suggested to Helena Kiwanis Club, P O Box 4178, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Don.
Dave and Vicky Galt says
I have known and worked with Don for nearly 30 years. He was a solid proponent of natural resource development and the high paying jobs that go with it. Don brought together various industry groups and was highly respected at teh State Capitol. He always had time to say Hello and visit with his friends. May you rest in God’s hands.
Jack King says
I met Don in the late 70’s and always admired his profession persona and the class that he carried with him. He was a highly respected go to guy for his clients. He was also a great guy to run into, talk and always walk away with a lifted spirit. God bless, my friend.
Mike Halligan says
He was a gentleman from start to finish. Always even-keeled in his demeanor and always the consummate professional when it came to dealing with legislators and public policy issues. More to the point, he exuded the quality of civility, which is often lacking in todays political climate. He will be missed. God bless him.
Chuck Johnson says
Don was always a professional and a gentleman who advocated well for his clients at the Capitol. As others have said, Don was always civil to everyone. He had quite a career. I believe he had served in the New Mexico Legislature before moving to Montana. My condolences to Mary.
John Shontz says
Don always looked for the positive in any situation or issue for everyone. He thought beyond what was right for “me.” He was a great friend and true gentleman. He will be missed.
Bob Kelly says
Don was always very familiar with the issues and the individuals . Had the opportunity to work with he and Mary for many years. He was always polite and professional and dedicated . Mary was always there to keep the pieces from falling off the table . He is missed and my prayers and sympathy to Mary
John Youngberg says
Don epitomized the term professional advocate. He was respectful of others and their opinions yet carried the strength of his convictions in his decision making. I am proud to have worked with him and called him my friend. Condolences to Mary, he will be missed.
Gail Abercrombie says
Don was such a great colleague and friend. A class-act as so many know. The natural resource industries have lost a great supporter and advocate. And for me personally, Thursday Jorgenson’s lunches will have a little missing element without Don there to chat about current exploits of players on the professional tennis tour. Love and condolences to Mary.
Krista Lee Evans says
Don was always a gentleman and always passionate about natural resources and the people in the natural resource industry. He will be greatly missed on many levels. Condolences to Mary and whom Don touched.
Tim Shestek says
I had the honor of being able to work with Don on a variety of legislative issues over the years when he was with WETA. A true professional and gentleman.
Laura Fix says
We were deeply saddened to hear of Don’s passing. Such a kind man, and excellent at the work he did. Mary, and Family, please know we are praying for you at this very difficult time. God’s speed to Don, may you rest in eternal peace.
Bud Clinch and Laura
Tom Beck says
Mary, I want you to know Don was truly a great friend of mine. He was a very honest and gracious person. When I would go to him in my legislative career for information he would give me a straight answer, and if he didn’t know he would find out. I have had lunch with Don ever week for years on Thursdays at Jorgys and he will be dearly missed. Mary, Marlene and I express our condolences, as we will not be able to attend the funeral. We are still in Arizona but will see you when we get back in late May.
Christine Ahner says
Chris Ahner,
Don was my campaign manager and the foundation on which my political career was built. He recruited the best people to surround, support and teach me. Don was clearly responsible for how and why I was given the opportunity to serve in the House of Representatives. He helped me acquire knowledge, confidence and the ability to navigate the political process. He and Mary contributed so much of themselves and both took me by the hand and walked with me every step to the tremendous privilege of Public Service. I feel like I’ve lost a brother. Don accomplished so much in his own life, was selfless and never ceased to pass his knowledge and expertise on to others. I’m very thankful to have had Don and Mary in my life and for the fingerprints and example of service they gave to me. Don was quite a man and will be dearly missed. My prayers are with you and your family Mary. May the presence of God be felt in your hearts.
Margaret Woo says
Dear Mary,
I was so sad to read this news. I always enjoyed working with Don and you. He was so kind and professional, as well as good natured. He spent so many years serving the public. You have my deepest condolences.
Margaret
Terry W Bass says
Really a very fine person. Wife Mary and he represented good things for people from all walks of life. Generous in his ability to share information and gather support for or against issues based on fact. Rest In Peace!!
Leann and Rusty Pierce says
Don was my favorite uncle. He was kind, sweet,smart, and thoughtful and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and family.
Claire White says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mary, in this sad time. You and Don looked after us so well when we visited from Australia, some years ago. Your many teachers’ college friends send their love to you.