Gary L. Allen, who was known as “The Uscan Man” at Kroger on Cedar Springs Road, died on Jan. 9, two days before his 61st birthday. He had worked at Kroger for 35 years and was one of two people who had worked at the store on Cedar Springs since it opened in 1998.
Throughout the years, he participated in many charity events. He won several honors for his volunteerism.
Allen is survived by his beloved dog Bo, who has been given a new home by some of his friends; and by friends Elaine and Mike Casey, John “Spanke” Studer, Mark Sharp and Rod Wait, Shannon Percell and Ronye Mitchell-Percell, Mariann Slocum and Cyndi Richards, and Don Maison.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to AIDS Services Dallas, P.O. Box 4338, Dallas, Texas 75208. A celebration of his life will be held at a private home on Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. Address and additional information is available at Kroger.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition Jan. 14, 2011.
…and from one who called you ‘friend’ for many years, Gary….rest in peace….it so saddens me to hear of this via e-Voice, living in Tucson. The Community will miss you; I know I will…..
R.I.P. I love and miss you very much
Been away from you for a long time but never forgot my friend. I thought of you often, especially when I looked back on Christmas tree trimming parties. Rest in peace.
Gosh, Gary! I moved away and now you’ve left us. The “Krog” will never be the same. I’ll always think of and miss your humor, sweet guy.
Wow he was a sweetie, I still remember him and everyone at “Kro-gurl” as we fondly called it. My deepest sympathies to his friends and family at Kroger and everywhere. He was always kind.
It was always so nice to see your face and chat while checking out. It made making extra trips to Kroger for incidentals fun instead of a chore. You always were quick to remember my date of birth when you saw me. As you remember, “Teacher needs his bottle of wine.” Haha. I will miss you terribly! Rest in peace.
Gary, how sad it is to know that you are gone — but never forgotten. It has been five years since I last saw you in Dallas, and I can see your loving, impish smile right now. Thank you for all that you shared with me about your life and listening to mine and teaching me about all the porn stars! All my love, Greg.
I havn’t seen you Gary since 1969 when we were going to Grayson Co. Jr. but I never forgot you as a friend. God be with you,, “Sophie Baby”