Clyde Dewain (Buck) Allen, of Augusta, MT, passed from this life Sunday, May 15, 2016, from natural causes.  Buck was born May 25, 1931, in Great Falls, MT to Clyde O. Allen and Maggie Madge McCann Allen.  He was raised in early childhood in Fort Shaw and then moved to the Fairfield Bench.  Buck had one brother, Don Allen, who preceded him in death, and one sister, Kay Nelson, who currently resides in Shelby, MT.

After graduating from Choteau High School, Buck continued his studies at Montana State University, graduating with a degree in Agronomy.  While at MSU, he was a winning member of the wrestling team, serving as the team captain in his senior year.  He learned may of his noted social skills under the tough tutelage of WWII veterans as a member of the AGR fraternity.

While attending Montana State University, Buck married Beverly Jean Cottle on September 22, 1951 in Augusta, MT.  He was a member of ROTC and upon graduation from MSU he began active duty in the Army in 1954.

In a successful military career, Buck flew both fixed and rotary wing aircraft serving as both a rotary wing and fixed wing Aviation Unit Commander.  During his career he had 3000 hours of flying time, which included over 1000 hours in combat.  Among medals earned, he received the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal with nineteen Oak Leaf Clusters.  He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Following military retirement, Buck and Beverly returned to Augusta, MT where Buck farmed and ranched and Beverly returned to nursing.  Buck was active in his community, serving twice as chairman of the school board.  He loved gardening, horses and being in his beloved mountains.

He remained a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served in many callings and leadership positions.  He was most grateful for his ten years serving in the Cardston, Alberta temple, which included being a Sealer.

Buck leaves behind the legacy of a loving family including his wife, Beverly Cottle Allen and three children, Brett Dewain (Erica) Allen, Libby Cottle (David) Davison, Paula Madge (Bill) Schustrom; 10 grandchildren, Cole (Tracy) Davison, Asher (Michelle) Davison, Ryker Davison, Creighton Davison, Grant Davison, Zachary (Sara) Allen, Paige Allen (Jeremy Rife), Brock Allen, Alexis Schustrom, Allison Schustrom (Joseph) Young; three great-grandchildren, Emily Davison, Anna Allen and Clyde Allen.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fairfield, MT.

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