Sonora, CA…On Monday, December 7, 2020, Weldon Eugene Allen, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away in Sonora, California at the age of 91. Weldon was born on May 13, 1929 at a ranch in the south plains of Texas near Amarillo to William and Linda Zodeen Allen. At 17, he joined the military, stationed at naval air bases in Jacksonville and Memphis, as an aviation metalsmith. On August 16, 1951, he married Joan Arlene Barrett whom he adored for nearly 70 years. They settled down in San Leandro California, where they raised their two daughters, Carol and Donna. In 1982, Weldon started his own aircraft maintenance and repair business at the Oakland Airport, moving it to the Calaveras County Airport in 1991 when he “retired”.

He was dedicated to God, his family, and his church, and over the years, mentored countless young people who were drawn to him because of his calm demeanor. Weldon was very well-respected not only in his community, but also in his industry; aircraft was his passion. In 1958, while working for Hiller Helicopter in Palo Alto, Weldon helped build the first tilt-wing transport – an early helicopter – then built hundreds of copters for the Army’s use in Korea. Over the years, he built a range of airplanes from Metroliners to Merlins, taught crews of pilots to be aviation mechanics, was frequently called as an expert witness, and restored vintage aircraft often fabricating custom parts that were no longer available. As a businessman, it was his policy that an aircraft he had worked on not be released to its owner unless he was willing to fly in it himself, which is why his clients flew in from all over the western United States to allow only him to service their planes. In 1996, Weldon was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration for 50 years of service. The need to tinker never allowed Weldon to truly retired, however he enjoyed tending to his massive Koi pond, volunteering at his church, and drinking very hot black coffee.

Weldon was preceded in death by his mother, Linda and father, William, and siblings, Dan, Jim and Louise. He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Carol (Dale) Kiper and Donna (Robert) Kornhauser; five grandchildren, Cristin, Cindy, Jenny, Shane and Bobby; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

He will be laid to rest at the Columbia Cemetery; memorial service to be held at a later date. Kindly address condolences to 12877 Sylva Lane, Apartment 115, Sonora CA 95370. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association http://act.alz.org/goto/Weldon_Allen and Hospice of the Sierra, 20100 Cedar Road North, Sonora CA 95370 https://www.adventisthealth.org/home-care-services/donate/.