Ken was born in 1946 in St. Louis. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1964, after which he enrolled in Southeast Missouri College. In 1966, he transferred to Southwest Baptist College, where he met his future wife, Janet Allen. In August 1969, he was drafted into the Army and became a combat medic (68W). He was stationed at Valley Forge Army Hospital, Allentown, Pa., and Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., until 1971 when he received an honorable discharge. He and Jan were married in August 1970 and relocated to Franklin County where they had one child, Kathy, in 1971.

Ken worked as a probation and parole officer for 40 years for the state of Missouri and several Missouri counties. He continued his professional development with a master's degree in human relations from Webster University in 1975. He also was an independent businessman, developing and administering substance abuse treatment programs for several Missouri counties. In 2000, Ken co-created The Homeport, an import home decor retailer and wholesaler.

Ken loved to travel in the U.S. and abroad. He loved taking friends and family snow skiing in the mountains and boogie boarding in the Caribbean. He loved restoring classic cars including his beloved Datsun 240Z, and he loved driving them really, really fast. He loved canoeing on Missouri's many rivers, including the Meramec, Huzzah, Jacks Fork and Current rivers. And he loved pecan pie. Pecan pie was his spirit animal.

Ken touched the hearts of many who knew him, particularly those in hardship trying to better their lives. He was a friend, mentor and father-figure to many.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Lee Allen Sr.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Allen, Berkeley, Calif.; his wife, Janet Allen, and mother-in-law, Gaynelle Seymour, both of St. Louis; his mother, Malinda Allen, Dexter; his brother- and sister-in-law, Jeffery Allen and Debbie Allen, Cape Girardeau.