John Maurice Allen

John Allen, a man of deep faith, incredible talent, and unwavering dedication, joyfully entered his Lord’s presence on March 20, 2025, at 1:23 p.m. His life was a beautiful symphony of hard work, passion, and love—a testament to his devotion to family, music, craftsmanship, and faith.

From an early age, John learned the value of diligence while working alongside his father, Theadore (Ted), at Swingle Tree Service in Denver. What began as labor soon became a lifelong love for landscaping—an art form that allowed him to shape beauty with his hands.

A 1955 graduate of Englewood High School, John’s determination and musical gifts carried him through college. He traveled the state playing trumpet in a band to pay for tuition, while his trusty ukulele often earned him meals. In 1959, he graduated from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) and began his career as an educator. In 1961, he married Judy Lee Farmer, and together they welcomed their children, Tracy Lee and Troy Maurice.

John’s teaching career began in Platteville, CO, where he taught shorthand and business, but it wasn’t long before he found his true calling—music education. He spent decades in the Adams County School District, igniting a love for music in students of all ages. A perfectionist and a passionate musician, John dedicated himself to mastering as many instruments as possible, though the trumpet was always his first love.

On December 23, 1970, John married Margaret (Marnie) Bridgewater, his beloved wife and life partner. Their marriage was filled with faith, love, laughter, and an unshakable devotion to Christ.

After retiring from Northeast Junior High in 1991, John’s passion for craftsmanship led him into an exciting new chapter. He was hired to remodel Abundant Life Christian Center (now Ralston Creek Church) in Arvada, launching a second career in construction. Whether renovating kitchens, bathrooms, or landscapes, John poured the same precision and passion into his work that had defined his teaching and musicianship.

By 2000, he had focused on completing his home remodel projects—a labor of love that kept him active and creative until his final days. Whether holding a musical instrument, a hammer, or his Bible—sometimes all three—John lived his life with purpose, joy, and enthusiasm.

“His Lord said unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’” — Matthew 25:23 (KJV)

And so, with his trumpet, hammer, and Bible, John has been entrusted with even more now… in Heaven!

John is survived by his wife, Marnie Allen; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Jeff Standridge; his son and daughter-in-law, Troy and Dana Allen; grandchildren, Baylie McRae Reierson (Clay Reierson) and Lynzee Paige Thoma (Nick Thoma); and his great-grandchild, Calvin Maurice Thoma.

John’s life will be celebrated at Ralston Creek Church on April 16, 2025, at 10 am. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in John's honor to Ralston Creek Church: Summer 2025 Mexico Missions Trip, 6425 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO, 80003.