ALBERT ALLRED

"A good life lived is never long enough." Albert Redding Allred, beloved husband of Lawanda McGhee Allred, passed away on Sunday morning, October 18, 2015, at the age of 96. Albert Allred was born on October 16, 1919, in Ft. Morgan, CO to William and Della Allred. At age three he moved to Madera, CA, where he would live the rest of his life except from 1964 to 1968, when he moved his family to Montana to experience a life long dream of operating his apiary in the Big Sky Country. He was a beekeeper for most of his life, involved with pollinating various crops and making honey throughout California. When he retired from actively running bees, he acted as a broker for bees for pollination for several years. He was active in District 2 Sioux Honey Association, serving on its board of directors, and in 2009 he was recognized with the Pioneer Award for his innovation in preserving and promoting beekeeping in the United States. He was President of the California Honey Advisory Board, and conducted business in Anaheim on a regular basis. Through his passion for beekeeping he made friends all over the world. Following graduation from Madera High School in 1937, Allred "pleaded and bluffed" his way into a third year apprentice carpenter's position working on the Friant Dam for two years. In March of 1941, he went to Hawaii for six months to help build Hickham Field. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp in September of 1941, and served until 1944, as a weather forecaster and cryptographer in the Pacific Theater during World War II, primarily in New Guinea and the Philippines. The need for weather men was so great there was no time for basic training. Allred was awarded numerous medals and ribbons for his service. Allred was active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Madera Chapter; served as a board member and as President of the Madera Golf and Country Club; and served in various positions with the Elks Club of Madera. He and his wife loved to travel, and booked 13 trips to Hawaii and multiple trips to Europe. They enjoyed a wide circle of friends who loved to RV and golf whenever an opportunity presented. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lawrence, John, and Robert; sisters, Lucy Bigelow and Betty Thompson; and son-in-law, John L. Simpson. Mr. Allred is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 73 years; and daughters, Claudia Tischler and husband Gordon, Susan Simpson, and Kerry Allred; son, David and wife Elizabeth Dudenhausen; grandsons, Michael and wife Jennifer, Douglas Londgren, and Matthew Walker and wife Marissa; granddaughters, Samantha Walker Leon and husband Christopher, and Sarah and Mary Allred; great-grandchildren, Alexander Londgren, Marshall and Mallory Walker, and Theodore Leon; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service will be held at Arbor Vitae Cemetery, Madera, CA on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to Madera County Historical Society, P.O. Box 150, Madera, CA 93639; or to the donor's favorite charity. Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, California (559)674-8814