Allen was with us since he came into his life on January 19, 1959. He was born in Eureka and was raised in a quiet neighborhood near Indianola, just off of the Old Arcata Road. Allen grew up playing in the woods and the fields that surrounded his family’s home. The familiarity of his childhood’s rural surroundings, and the influence of his family’s long connections to Humboldt County, in many ways created in him a fondness for the outdoors of northern California and a pioneer spirit that remained with him throughout his years. Allen’s life was spent almost entirely in Humboldt County. He died in Eureka at the age of 61 on February 1, 2020.
Allen attended elementary school at Freshwater Elementary before he attended Winship Junior High and Eureka Senior High. Allen couldn’t wait to leave school behind, so he abandoned high school and went to work in a variety of jobs that ranged from building maintenance to heavy equipment operator. Allen got married along the way and had a step-son and two other sons, all of whom he was very proud. Unfortunately, Allen’s marriage ended in divorce, and he set out alone, preferring to “head to the woods” to live as long and as often as he could. He was most at peace when he lived in the mountains of Humboldt County, wishing he’d been born a century sooner than he was. Allen was injured in an auto accident several years ago, leaving him disabled and ending his working years. Allen’s focus shifted to his fascination with native cultures and art. He taught himself how to chip obsidian to create arrowheads. He loved to draw, too, creating a personal collection of art and other artifacts of his work that the outdoors inspired in him.
Allen is survived by his son, Chris McIntire, his wife, Lacey, children Madalynn, Sophia and Henry, all who live in Oregon; his son Keith McIntire and daughter, Alexandria, who live in Montana; his step-son, Josh Hellyer of Eureka and his children Caleb and Hunter Hellyer; Allen’s former wife, Wendy Hellyer, who lives in Oregon; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Jean McIntire who live in Susanville; sister-in-law Susan McIntire of New Hampshire; several nieces, nephews and good friends as well as cousins in Humboldt County, Oregon, Idaho, and elsewhere. Allen was preceded in death by his father, Keith McIntire; his mother, Jean McIntire, and his older brother, Ronald McIntire.
Allen’s preference would be to have no formal funeral service. The family requests that any donations in Allen’s name be made to the Humboldt Area Foundation, Native Cultures Fund.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Allen McIntire’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.