Alfred John Allende Velarde

1930 - 2017

Alfred John Cocoa' Allende Velarde April 20, 1930 - October 24, 2017 San Diego John Allende was born on April 20, 1930 in San Diego, California to Alfred John Allen whose parents emigrated from Belgium and to Isabella Petra Gonzales Velarde whose Spanish exploring ancestors occupied California central valley prior to the Treaty of Hidalgo. Customary in some cultures where no male descendent survives from the maternal line, the fraternal male will legally adopt the familial surname, ergo, Allende Velarde. He grew up in North Park, attended Garfield Elementary, Horace Mann Jr. High, Hoover High and San Diego High Schools. His nickname was Cocoa, because his complexion was darker than his peers, a name that stayed with him for life. He was married to Deanie McClure (deceased cancer), a Hoover High beauty, for 59 years. They accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Together they had four sons. John, (Mary Thornton) a retired SDFD Engineer residing in Boise, Idaho. Dave (Gina Mattera div.) retired chef at five star Rainwater's. David and his fiance Andrea Moore lived with and took care of his father until the end. Daniel, (Jacki Smith) of North Tahoe and San Juanico, BCS Mexico. They own and operate Punta Pequena Pizza in Scorpion Bay, BCS MX, international surfing mecca. Joseph Christopher, (Susan Griffin div.) (Kathy Kelly) Facility Engineer for Customs & Border Protection. They reside in Imperial Beach. There are 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. John married again to Mary Jo Lamb Ludwig whom also succumbed to cancer. John also leaves behind his loving Jack Russell Terrier Cha-Cha.John had two parallel careers in government work, one in the US Army, National Guard, US Army Reserve and the other in civil service. Each complemented the other. He joined the Army out of SDHS. Upon release from active duty he was transferred to the Army Reserve at Fort Rosecrans during which time he became an apprentice electronics mechanic at NASNI. He completed a program as an electronic mechanic. He organized the NASNI Apprentice Alumni Association and became vice president of the North Island Association. He maintained his service obligation. Being familiar with the integrated fire control and communication systems he rose rapidly in the National Guard. Returning from training, he was appointed Leading Man in the microwave section at NAS North Island. His civil career was interrupted several times by orders to active duty: the Cuba crisis, Berlin crisis and others. Returning to civil service, he transferred to Naval Electronics System Command as a Quarterman, assigned to take possession of property at 1500 Pacific Coast highway, formerly occupied by Convair. He converted the property into an electronic repair and depot level maintenance facility. This meant converting the warehouses to a work environment, bringing in manufacturing equipment from government excess property management and bringing in sufficient power to tool up and sustain fleet support. The operation included machine operations, teletype, crypto graphic, radar, radio communications, wire and cable crews. It continues to this day under government owned contract operated management. Mr. Allende was a California licensed, Manufacturing Engineer (MF1608).On return from Vietnam he was hired as the Production Superintendent Missile Electronics of the Ordinance Systems Comment and Rework Facility US Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA. Most of his work still remains sensitive. It is noted that his US Army records indicates that he earned the unique prefix classification E for Electronic, Warfare Specialist, bestowed upon successful completion of military training and duties. While working at NASNI ISLAND & NAVWEAPSTA Seal Beach he frequently taught adult education electronics and related math at SDCC & LBCC. He was an accomplished public speaker and assembled audio visual programs about his facility which he presented to new hire personnel, the community, fraternal, business and professional organizations. He retired from NWSSB and USAR January 1988. Deanie and John traveled in their motor home finally settling in a beautiful beach front vacation home in Conecption Bay, BC MEX.A commitment service will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 10:00. A memorial service will be held at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, 4816 Glen St, La Mesa, CA 91941 at noon.May God Bless