Allen Frederick Nelson

Allen Frederick Nelson was born in St. Louis, MO and adopted as a toddler by Fred and Penny (Virgie) Nelson. He passed away peacefully in the Kansas City VA Hospital on July 4th, 2025, age 68 after a long battle with his health. After serving as an Officer in the Army as a young man, he mainly worked in social services, ranging from homes for at-risk youth to administration at agencies caring for developmentally disabled adults. A lover of new tech, he also worked as an IT Professional for Hallmark for a time and built his own computers. He married Susan C. Zimmerman, they had two children by both birth and adoption, divorced, and eventually remarried. Allen was a big personality with an irreverent sprit, loudmouth, and generous heart. He enjoyed a good drink, a fine cigar, trying new food, and travel. Enjoying many diverse hobbies over his life, Allen liked brewing his own beer, collecting tobacco pipes and watches, riding motorcycles, looseleaf tea, shooting at the gun range, model trains, and his many pets. He was an involved parent who was a camper and Boy Scout leader with his son Chris and loved helping his daughter Sarah with her small business, including making woodcrafts and dressing up like a pirate to man her shop at the KC Renaissance Festival. We are blessed to have many wonderful experiences to remember him by.

Allen was preceded in death by his wife Susan in 2008, and his parents Fred and Penny. He’s survived by daughter Sarah Draper, son Christopher Nelson, and his beloved service dog Zeus.

Visitation will be 2pm, Friday, July 18, 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3pm at Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133.