Calvin Raymond Allen passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Calvin was born at home to E. Raymond and Flossie (Fleetwood) Allen in Seaford on July 8, 1924. His schooling began at The Neal’s School on Neal’s School Road, and he graduated from the original Seaford High School, now Seaford Middle School. He was quite the renaissance man early in life with many careers, as well as being a small business owner. He settled into his passion, farming, and built a beautiful and successful life farming fields and growing chickens alongside his wife Jeanette Allen.
Calvin was a quiet man with a large presence. He was kind, loving, funny, and never had a negative word for anyone. Calvin enjoyed his tractors, trucks, and cars. He loved to drive along the countryside, enjoying the scenery and watching all of the changes happening around his town, over his 99 years of life. The people he met along the way always had a kind word for him, and he was hard to forget.
In retirement he was involved heavily with his school alumni association. As a woodworker he built a podium for the Seaford School District. His furniture and woodwork can be found in many friends’ and families’ homes across the country. Calvin’s greatest love was his family. He was always available for advice (but only if you asked for it) and was always available when asked to help with any project. He loved having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren around to visit and talk, and he proudly watched as his grandchildren built their homes around him.
Calvin was predeceased by his parents, E. Raymond and Flossie Allen; his sister, Virginia (Allen) Pegelow; and his brother-in-law, Fred Pegelow. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Jeanette S. Allen; his daughters: Bonnie Allen and Kyna Rowe (Greg); his grandchildren: William Ellis (Tiffany), April Callaway (Derik), Rayna McGill (Kevin), Mallory Read (Josh) and Brandon Rowe (Lauren); his 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren, with two more on the way; his nieces: Teresa Wilson (Rudy) and Kaye Moynihan (Larry); and his nephew Thomas Pegelow (Reenie).
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the following Visiting Angels caregivers: D’Mitria, Brittany, and Sharen, as well as the nurses and caregivers from Delaware Hospice.
A graveside service will be held privately. Final care has been entrusted to Watson-Yates Funeral Home & Crematorium, a Parsell Family Funeral Home, Seaford.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Calvin’s name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or Seaford High School, Seaford Education Foundation, Donations to the band, c/o Amy Steele, 309 N. Market St., Seaford, DE 19973.
Please visit Calvin’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at www.watsonyatesfuneralhome.com.