John Allard, 85, of Turlock, passed away at Covenant Village Care Center.
He was a lifelong Californian, born in Willows to Howard and Louise Allard. John attended schools in Willows and graduated from Willows High School in 1943. He served in the Army in World War II and received a Purple Heart for his injuries during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war John continued his education at Sacramento City College and Sacramento State. In 1950, John married the love of his life, Betty LaRue Brown. She preceded him in death in 2004, after 54 years of marriage.
John was an educator: he served as a principal in the Turlock Schools, superintendant in Denair, Waterford and Tracy schools, and as Stanislaus County Supt. of Schools from 1979 to 1991. John was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Turlock, a member of the Turlock Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge, Republican Party and the California State Parks Commission. John received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary. An active naturalist, John served in the State Park System for 15 summers providing campfire programs and nature walks. In fact, he wrote a Field Guide for the Richardson Grove State Park.
John loved to teach students and visitors about World War II and about the outdoors. His family has fond memories of their times spent with John in the outdoors, especially fishing.
John is survived by his children, Walter (Nanci) Allard of Turlock, John Jr. (Lisa) Allard of Roseville and Gayle (Jose) Bolorinos of Madrid, Spain; sister, Elizabeth Barrows of Grants Pass, Ore.; and 12 grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 at Allen Mortuary. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 15 at First Presbyterian Church, 2619 N. Berkeley Ave.
Memorial contributions in John’s name may be considered for the Covenant Village Benevolent Fund or Salvation Army, 893 Lander Ave., Turlock, CA .
Please leave memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.
