Aug. 10, 2021
Allen Lou Harp passed away Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 after a long battle with aggressive pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by family and loved ones in his final days. He was 60.
Previous to making his own little family, Allen served in the United States Navy, achieving rank BT2. Allen’s love of creating led him to design many projects, rejuvenating old tools and tinkering in his truck. Another of his passions connected him with babies, teens and his children: his love of cooking. He would love his people through his food, giving soup when someone was sick, or creating one-of-a-kind cookies for anyone who could use a lift-me-up.
Allen and Robena Arlene Harp (Arlene) met in 2003, and it was a true-love match. Together they weathered 17 years of life, never once faltering in their deep, abiding love for one another. This love continued through his battle, as they took every step side-by-side.
Allen was a loving stepfather and papa, and adopted any child he could take under his wing, often filling them up with taffy and Tootsie Rolls. It was his love of his family and wanting to be close to the growing grandchildren that caused him and Arlene to move to Rangely in 2019. They took adventures to the beautiful locations of the Red Rocks and other areas Colorado had to offer, and he and Arlene soaked up life with a vivacity of those born to love everything around them. They truly followed Earl Nightingale’s advice to “learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now.”
Shortly after welcoming his youngest grandchild into the world, Allen learned he was confronting an immense battle against cancer. He combated with the intensity of a man at war, to stay with his family, but ultimately, he lost the war to the only thing that could take him—for he was too stubborn to die.
A celebration of life will be held Oct. 8 in Grand Junction at 10 a.m. The location is TBA dependent on weather conditions. This celebration is to be followed by a potluck, then a military funeral honors ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, Colorado, 81501.
Please get in touch with Allen’s daughter, Jasmine DeFreitas, for questions and additional information at 970-433-3356 or at [email protected].
