George Allen Prudden

George Allen Prudden died unexpectedly at home on Aug. 27, 2012. He was born on April 9, 1948, in Chicago. He graduated from Proviso West High School in Hillside, Ill., where he was a gymnast, played in the band and participated in Cinema Club and Chess Club. He attended Western Illinois College.

He worked for years at Kagan and Gaines Music Store where he was skilled at musical instrument repair and piano tuning. Music was always at the center of his life. He owned, rehabbed and managed apartment buildings in Oak Park, Ill., and was a skilled craftsman with clients in the Midwest, Montana and California.

He met Barda Allen in Oak Park in 1979 when he was the sound man for the band Alibi, and they were married on June 27, 1981. Daughter Amy and son George Hubbard “Cloud” were born in Oak Park. In 1986, George and Barda moved to Helena, where they purchased one of the older homes of Helena, the Lissner House. Sons Nathaniel and David and daughter B.J. were born at home. When George moved to Helena he ran an ad, “If you don’t want it done right, don’t call.” After that his work was by referral. George was a craftsman of stellar reputation in Helena for 26 years. He played the flute and piano and composed music. George played with a great many musicians around Helena. He played jazz, rock and roll and classical as well as his own compositions and played the flute in the Helena City Band for several summers. Some of the bands he played in included The Edgewalkers, Jah Provide, Marathon Dance Band, The States of Matter and, with his sons, Circle of Light. He sang in the Choir at the Cathedral of St. Helena and most recently played flute and did sound at the Helena Center of Creative Living, where he had also served on the board. Many will remember George as the grandfather in Queen City Ballet’s annual production of the Nutcracker over four years.

In the last summer months of his life he attended Wildflower XXXVII with his family, where he played his heart out on his flute every day and all night. He and Barda attended a Sacred Heart Yoga retreat in Ennis, where they studied yoga and meditation. George was a great cook and baker of fine desserts. There were many family dinners and birthday celebrations over the summer. He played a part in a short film by Brynn Holt, “Myths of Helena,” shown at the Martin Holt Short Film Festival. George had a joyful exuberance for life, a palpable spiritual nature and a great sense of humor.

George is survived by his wife, Barda Allen; daughters, Amy Carr (Ben) and B.J.; sons, George Hubbard “Cloud,” Nathaniel and David; grandsons, Leslie Carr and Arcadian Jones; his mother, Josephine Prudden of Geneva, Ill.; his brothers, David Prudden (Joanne) of Geneva, Ill., and Bill Prudden (Sally) of Carmel, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Susan Manelli and Prudy Gildroy and families; extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, George Prudden; and his stepson, Gabriel Allen Racki.

A rockin’ wake and musical celebration for George will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, at the family home, 315 State St., at 6 p.m.

There will be a service celebrating George’s life at the Helena Center of Creative Living at 36 S. Rodney, in the law library, at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, followed by a gathering at the family home, 315 State St. Please bring musical instruments for the gathering. Casual, colorful attire is appropriate. The family will welcome guests during the week between the rockin’ wake and the Sept. 7 celebration service. The family is grateful that George was prepared within himself and his spirit left peacefully.

In support of George’s family, there is a memorial account set up at Valley Bank. Checks can be made to Prudden Family Fund.

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