Elvin "Todd" Allen

April 17, 1931 — Oct. 31, 2016

Elvin "Todd" Allen, 85, left us on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, with his spouse and friends at his side at The Regency in Albany.

Todd was born April 17, 1931, in Seattle to Edna Augusta Hepler and William Walter Allen. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Long Beach, California, where he lived until the age of 4. He then moved to Wenatchee, Washington, with his mother and siblings. In 1948 he graduated from Wenatchee High School.

After graduation, Elvin was sworn into the United States Air Force he served overseas in Germany and then was recalled during the Korean conflict. He also served in the U.S. Reserve Corps following his discharge.

Todd began a long career in sales that included insurance, advertising, wholesale foods, office supplies, appliances, correspondence courses and many more. He was top salesman for many years because of his wittiness and charming smile. In the late 1970s, Todd owned and operated Furniture Village in Corvallis until he sold the business and then worked for Benson's and Midvalley Carpet and Interiors.  In addition, he founded Todd Travel and Cruise.

After retiring from the sales industry he traveled to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico City to become versatile in the Spanish language. In 2002, he met and married Esmeralda Reyes in Corvallis and they began their life of community service together.

He served as an officer and master Mason until his illness in 2011, as well as the Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, the NAACP, AOW State Area Conference of the NAACP, Veterans for Peace and the Corvallis MLK Commission and MidValley Healthcare Advocates. In 1995, Todd became a life member of MENSA, he was also a Noble in the Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of NA at the Al Kader Temple, as well as a member of BPO Elks .

Todd is survived by his wife, Esmeralda; sister Darlene Allen Thompson; nieces Tammy Waddington and Susan Allen; and grandchildren David Younger, Todd McJunkin and Sara Allen Webb.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Deana Constance Pappas; daughter Nancy; and sons Todd Jr. and Steven.

A graveside of cremated remains will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Locke Cemetery in Corvallis. A celebration of life will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at First United Methodist Church in Corvallis.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements (www.aasum-dufour.com).