John Allen Ehl

Dear Family and Friends,
We invite you to join us for a Celebration of Life honoring John Allen Ehl ("Allen") on:
1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 26th at The Parkdale Grange
7375 Clear Creek Rd, Mt Hood, OR 97041
We welcome all who wish to come together to celebrate the wonderful life that Joanne and Allen Ehl shared, and to support Joanne as she navigates the loss of her beloved partner of 62 years.
The obituary and more about Allen's life can be found here: Obituary for John Allen Ehl
If you are planning to attend, we kindly ask that you send a quick note to Joanne so we can keep track of our headcount:
Joanne Ehl's Email: joanne@ehlweb.net
Your love, memories, and support mean the world.
With appreciation, The Ehl Family
John Allen Ehl
June 8, 1932 – March 27, 2025
John Allen Ehl, known to friends and family as Allen, passed away at home in Damascus, Oregon, on March 27, 2025. He was 92.
Early Life and Career
Allen was born on June 8, 1932, and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, where he attended both high school and college. He later earned his bachelor's and master's degrees and met the love of his life Joanne at Colorado State University. Joanne and Allen were married in Flagstaff Arizona in June of 1961.
He lived in several places throughout his life, including Pueblo, Denver, and Boulder, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona, before moving to Bend, Oregon, in 1969. There, he served as dean of Central Oregon Community College until his retirement in 1990. That same year, he and his wife Joanne moved to their longtime 20-acre property in the Upper Valley of Hood River, which became their retirement home.
Allen had a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. He especially enjoyed fishing throughout the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska-on lakes and rivers, fly fishing or spinning rod in hand. His time in Bend included many camping trips and time spent exploring the outdoors with family.
He poured his energy into his Hood River farm, raising hay, tending an orchard and blueberries, and enjoying the ever-present trout pond-a place that brought joy to his children and grandchildren for decades. Retirement gave Allen the opportunity to stay active on the property, where he was always working on projects that reflected both his mechanical ability and practical problem-solving skills.
That same mechanical talent lives on in his son Darrell, who inherited Allen's hands-on approach and instinct for fixing and building. Allen also had a passion for woodworking, and many of the furniture pieces he crafted over the years remain in use across the family-lasting reminders of his care, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Military and Aviation
Allen enlisted in the United States military on September 8, 1952, and served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on August 19, 1954. He will be buried with military honors at Willamette National Cemetery.
Later in life, Allen pursued another passion-aviation. His son Mark was the first to become a licensed pilot, earning his degree in aeronautical engineering. Darrell followed by becoming a corporate pilot. Inspired by their shared interest, Allen earned his private pilot license later in life. For a time, all three held active pilot licenses. Allen also spent time rebuilding a boat for travel around the San Juan Islands and often had a hands-on project underway.
Family
Allen is survived by his wife, Joanne Ehl, of Damascus, Oregon, where they lived together at their current residence for the past five years.
He is also survived by:
- Son Darrell Ehl and wife Trish Ehl, of Happy Valley, Oregon
- Granddaughter Taylor, married to Bret Streff
- Granddaughter Megan, engaged to Gus Dickinson, with a wedding planned for June 2025
- Son Mark Ehl
- Grandson Spencer Ehl, a civil engineer in Portland, Oregon, engaged to Megan Kelly
- Granddaughter Madeline Ehl, a teacher in the Hillsboro School District, currently living in Hillsboro.
Allen valued time with family and especially enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow into their own paths and passions.
Service Details
A celebration of life will be held at the Upper Valley Grange near Parkdale, Oregon, with the date and time to be determined. Allen will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to three organizations that reflect the passions of Allen's granddaughters:
- Gales Creek Camp
Madeline serves as a camp director. The camp provides support and community for children living with Type 1 diabetes-something she has been involved with for many years.
Donations may be made in Allen's honor at:
- Lewis & Clark Humane Society
Megan has spent years helping train service animals for individuals with medical needs and taking care of animals.
Donations may be made in Allen's honor to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society: https://lchsmontana.org/
-Big Green (Growing Food Changes Lives)
Taylor, who inherited her grandfather's green thumb and loves growing food in her garden, has a special place in her heart for this organization and its mission to help people grow their own gardens.
Donations may be made in Allen's honor to Big Green: https://biggreen.org/
With Gratitude
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who supported Allen and Joanne in their later years. Their care, compassion, and dedication made a meaningful difference in Allen's life and continue to support Joanne today. The family deeply appreciates those rare individuals who approached the role of caregiving with patience, respect, and kindness, and often going above and beyond without being family themselves.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.