Jesse Allen

Jesse Lee Allen passed away on August 25, 2025, at the age of 74, ending an over 4-year battle with leukemia. Born March 20, 1951, Jesse leaves a legacy of kindness, connectedness, determination, and optimism. He is survived by a rich community of family and friends, including his beloved wife and best friend of over 50 years, Paula Allen, and their children, Philip Allen, Alana (Allen) Stewart, and Carrie Allen; and granddaughters, Lillian, Abigail, Grace, Cameron, and Vale. He is also survived by six siblings: Bonnie Boster, Jim Allen, Anna Brooks, Margy Young, Bob Allen, and Mike Allen.
Jesse's story is one of great fortitude and determination. He grew up in Mapleton, Oregon, a small town that drew on logging as its primary industry. Jesse was one of 9 children with very limited financial means. His father passed away when Jesse was just 11, leaving greater responsibility on him and his older siblings. As a youngster, he enjoyed spending his time outside, swimming in Sweet Creek, hiking the surrounding areas, and enjoying the native plants and wildlife, often with his beloved dog, Jed. He had a natural talent for running, and in high school, played football and served as the captain of the wrestling team. Participation in extracurriculars like these required a great deal of commitment, as it meant regularly walking the long distance to and from school to attend practices and games.
Putting in that literal extra mile was a way of life for Jesse. He saw a future for himself that reached beyond his hometown and that included a greater opportunity for career and personal advancement. He started dating Paula soon after graduating from high school, and their courtship and marriage a couple of years later spurred these desires to pursue college and opportunities outside of Mapleton even more. To pay for school, Jesse worked at the local sawmill and eventually logged in the woods – a higher-paying role - that could expedite his earnings and support his goal of attending college. Soon into his college-going journey, he was drafted to serve in the Army during the Vietnam War and chose to join the U.S. Air Force instead. This brought him and eventually Paula to Great Falls, Montana.
While joining the military was not his "choice," Jesse saw the opportunity in the experience, both in terms of the skills he developed and the eventual financial support to attend college. He looked back on the time with gratitude, seeing it as a bonding experience for him and Paula, pushing them to work hard together to save money and start their life together as a young married couple. Jesse went on to achieve a college degree from Oregon State University after serving in the military. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and communications and worked in different sales positions, notably for Nestle Foods, and eventually moved into management positions. He would later return to school to earn a graduate degree - a master's in business administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix at 57. He worked for the Clark County Health Department for several years and finished his career at the Portland VA Medical Center as their Revenue Manager.
Seeing opportunity in difficult situations that were not his choice was one of Jesse's most admirable qualities. He brought hope and optimism to even the most challenging situations. You could see this mindset reflected in how he approached his illness. Like his diagnosis, there was much that could be seen as "unfair" in Jesse's life, but he consistently approached hardship with the mindset of, "How do I make the most of the situation in front of me?" He would say the role of his wife, always at his side to face hardship together, and his faith as a Christian were from where he drew his greatest strength as he navigated life's circumstances.
Living a life that was balanced and modeled healthy choices was important to Jesse. While investing in his career was important, his priority was always his family. He enjoyed running, playing soccer, gardening, cooking, playing guitar, and traveling with Paula. As a father, Jesse saw his role as supporting his children in seeing their own worth, pursuing their interests, and building confidence to live fulfilled adult lives. As a grandfather, Jesse was an entertaining and loving playmate and a wise teacher for his cherished granddaughters.
Jesse brought a joyful, kind energy to all he did in life. Jesse's legacy can be summarized well in the moments of palpable love, connection, and kindness just prior to his passing. He acted with humor, lightheartedness, and consideration of others, even in the face of his own mortality. One special nurse commented that "there are people in your life you are meant to meet" – even in his death, Jesse's legacy was cultivating love and kindness and grace. We often hear the adage that moments like illness and death can reveal people's true character. This could not have been more true for Jesse. He leaves us with hearts full of love, gratitude, and lasting memories of a life well lived.
If you would like to donate in Jesse's memory, the family requests donations be made to Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, WA.