Russell Claude Allen

Russell Claude Allen of Ironton, MO passed away August 1, 2024 in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by his family at the age of 74 years. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 28, 1950 to Richard and Delores (Nee Noll) Allen, who preceeded him in death.
Russell is survived by his wife of 41 years, Debra, and two children Tim (Erica) Allen of Imperial, and Megan (Tim) Harbison of Ironton, Missouri. He is also survived by three grandchildren who were the absolute light and joys of his life, Emerson Harbison, and Everett and Eli Allen.
Russ was a pillar of his community, a family man, and a true servant to the people. He served in the United States Army and was proud of his service to his country. He wore many hats, and served on more boards and committees than his family could even keep track of. He retired from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in 1993, after more than 20 years of dedicated service, and moved to Ironton to raise his children. He was a patrolman for the City of Ironton and was later promoted to Chief of Police. You always knew it was Russ when you passed his patrol car, by his aviator sunglasses, and his large cigar in his right hand. He was offered the job as Iron County's Juvenile Officer, and eventually became Chief Juvenile Officer of the 42nd Circuit. He decided to retire in June of 2016, one week after his first grandchild was born. He also served as Ironton's Fire Chief, an Iron County Sheriff's Deputy, Ironton's Emergency Management Director, and was currently serving on Ironton's Board of Alderman.
To know Russ, was to love him. He was known valley wide for his lack of patience and for not holding back his opinion. His knack for making up words when he was mad, will live on in the hearts of many social workers forever. He had a wicked sense of humor, that was a blessing with a family like his. His wife and children liked to test his patience daily, and usually at his expense. Sometimes they would let him eat a piece of chicken that the dog stole off the counter, and they had to wrestle to get it back. Once, they set his cell phone ring tone to play "Big Girls Don't Cry" and waited until he got to a meeting to call him (Where he adamantly denied over and over that it was not his phone ringing). At Christmas, he called his wife in a panic that there were carolers on the street, and he didn't know what to do. Debbie told him that they do that because they want you to give them toilet paper and paper towels. Since Russ didn't know if that was true, he rushed over to his mother-in-law's house next door to take refuge from the Christmas music. If you ever needed a joke, he had one. If you ever needed new ways to verbally express your frustrations, he could teach you that too. And if you ever needed someone to help you in a time of uncertainty or fear, he would never walk away.
Russ leaves behind a family that adored him. Regardless of if he was known as the crankiest man west of the Mississippi, he was the backbone of his tribe. With Russ's passing, his family worries about who will boss the Cardinals dug out from the couch each game, and who will stomp to the front window to stare disapprovingly at every loud vehicle blaring loud music that drove by.
While his family can no longer speed past him while he has a car pulled over on the side of the road, just to watch him shake his head, they know that heaven is officially a safer place. While his family mourns his earthly passing, they know that he has gone 'On Duty' for the first time on the streets of gold. Without a doubt in their minds, he ordered his first box of Boston crème filled donuts, poured his third pot of coffee for the day, and turned-on Maury Povich on tv (even though he would never admit it was his favorite show).
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to an organization Russ held near and dear to his heart, the BackStoppers. You can donate thru their website The Backstoppers.org or the funeral home will have forms available for your convenience.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bryson Funeral Home. Memorial services will be on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Bryson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Meghan Riegerix officiating. Inurnment will be in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park following the services with full military honors.