Allen Dee Ward of Plano, Texas passed away on June 16, 2021 at the age of 74. He was born on June 30, 1946 to A.D. and Sarah Ward in Mesquite, Texas. Allen grew up in Mesquite, Texas and graduated from Mesquite High School in 1965. He proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard. Allen married Brenda Kay Riggs on June 5, 1975 in Carrollton, Texas. Together they owned and operated Dee’s Trim Shop in Plano for 42 years, from 1977-2019. Allen trained many upholstery apprentices along the way, the longest standing apprentice being his son Jody, who he trained from the age of 12. Allen loved rebuilding cars, houses, and most importantly people. He spent most of his adult life ministering to others through homeless ministry, prison ministry, teen ministry, Sunday school ministry, and countless other building projects he did for the Church and for members of the Church. He was a member of the Dallas Magic Club, and used his skills as a magician to minister to others. In 2001 Allen founded Gospel Illusions and used his “same message, different method” mantra to lead countless hearts to Christ. Allen was one of the hardest working men you will have ever met. He worked from sun up until sun down and always looked for opportunities to give to others. His impact on the community, friends, and family is too great to measure.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Kay Ward of Plano, Texas; children, Joseph Dee Ward and wife, Jamie of Little Elm Texas, Deena Underwood of Murphy, Texas, and Rodney Ward of Richardson, Texas; grandsons, Grayson Underwood and Asher Underwood; sister, Linda Osmundson of Ft. Collins, Colorado; several nephews, many cousins; and a host of other loving family and friends.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents A.D. and Sarah Ward; son, Allen Dee Ward, Jr.; and granddaughter, Emeline Faith Ward.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 21, 2021 at The Foundry Church, 525 West Avenue A in Garland, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North in Allen, Texas.
The family has asked that food and flowers not be sent to their home, as Brenda is recovering from a recent transplant and cannot have these items in the home. At this time we ask that in lieu of flowers and food, a donation be made to The Foundry Church in Garland, TX. Donations can be made online at http://www.thefoundrychurch.tv by clicking the “Donate Now” link at the top of the page. From there you can choose “Allen Ward Memorial Donations” from the drop-down menu under Purpose, and donations will be used to fund current and future Church ministries. Allen’s work with the Church is never done, and he would want his last works on earth to bless someone else. As he always said, “be blessed and highly favored.”