8 minute read
WHO WAS ALLEN NELSON?
from Heritage 51
BY STEDDON SIKES '84
I first became aware of Allen Keith Nelson, YC class of 1972, in the summer of 2023 when the York University Advancement Office was notified of Nelson’s death and his pending estate. Upon thumbing through the yearbooks, however, I remembered seeing him when I was 8 or 9 years-old on a campus visit when two of my siblings, Steve '72 and Sharla '73, were students. His distinguishing features leaped from the pages and triggered a childhood memory of my only encounter with Nelson… something along the lines of, “That guy has no hair!”
New to my position as director of alumni relations, I wondered what sort of relationship Allen had maintained with his alma mater, his family connections, and his giving history. I was surprised by the lack of activity and comments in his file, and to be honest, floored to discover that his lifetime donations to York were zero.
Who was Allen K. Nelson, and what made him leave his entire estate to York University?
Curiously, the only family relations that his record divulged were those of Robert '58 and Martha (Followill '59) Lewis, listed as Nelson’s guardians. His home address in the back of the Crusader yearbook was the same as the Lewis family. Bob, who preached 17 years for the East Hill Church of Christ in York, including when I was a student, also served as my high school camp director at Nebraska Youth Camp.
It didn’t take me long before I was on the phone with Bob to see what light he was willing to cast on this mystery, and it was quickly apparent that our conversation should be shared with others — a feel-good story that could only be orchestrated by God.
Bob hadn’t heard of Allen’s passing and said that while he had occasional updates on him from friends, it had probably been decades since they last talked. He quickly mentioned Allen’s coming to know Jesus in California and his drastic lifestyle change. He was known to have dealt in drugs before his conversion, and a bad reaction to LSD caused all his hair on his entire body to disappear.
“My first sight of Al was this Mr. Clean staring at me while I preached,” Bob laughed. He sat on the back row with his 'wanna-be' girlfriend, Yvonne, at the Alhambra Church of Christ. “After being baptized, Al tried to talk to his friends on drugs about Jesus, but didn’t seem to have any luck,” Bob recalled. “He told me, ‘I can turn them on, but I can’t turn them off.’”
In September of 1970, Bob moved his family from Los Angeles to take on the preaching position at York. Allen, who was 23 at the time, asked the Lewis family to be his sponsor and made the cross country trek as well, moving into the dorm as a college freshman. Majoring in Bible and ministry, Allen served as chaplain in the Frater Sodalis social club during his time at York, was a two-year member of the Spiritual Life Committee, and traveled for the college as a summer camp counselor.
As a student, Allen accompanied Bob to the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW) many times and worked with those dealing with drug abuse. Bob said, “He did a lot of good out there at the center.” Bob also recalled NCCW installing a baptistery because so many of the 'residents' were being baptized, including during the time Allen was there.
Allen used his past experience with drugs as a platform to reach adolescents as well, helping students at elementary schools to understand the irreparable harm drugs could cause. Among his personal effects that were given to the University, were the signatures of about seventy 5th grade students at Willard Elementary School in York, appreciating him for his visit in 1971. (pictured to the left)
Nelda Hawley, whose husband, Roger, was on the faculty at York College and Allen’s social club sponsor, wrote, “Dear Al, l feel that you did much good for our fifth-grade children yesterday. I am hopeful that through your efforts and our study together these children will never be tempted to experiment with drugs. They discussed your talk all day. Thank you so much.”
After York, Allen went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Pepperdine University and then spent almost his entire career working for the university, 31 years as manager of warehouse services. He was a long-time member of the University Church of Christ and provided service most Sundays in the rear of the auditorium, helping people locate their seats and passing out communion trays. His life, his service to others, and his love of God all proved that this man lived a godly life indeed.
Allen was a bachelor, and he had no surviving family members. As the prospect of dementia loomed, several from his church family spent many hours with him, sorting through possessions and memories, asking what he wanted done with any money he had left behind. The day he signed his will, various possibilities were discussed and presented, but in the end, he chose to leave any money from his estate to York College.
Corleen Parmelee, a close friend of Allen’s since their days as residence assistants together at Pepperdine, wrote, “I hope that you will encourage students that what happens during their college years can have a lasting effect on their lives. I hope that you will help them to know that behind this monetary gift was a man who lived a full and blessed life, who loved loud music and the speed and rushing air of fast cars and motorcycles and the taste of chocolate milkshakes, who lived in thankfulness for our Lord and for the people who helped him along the way, who saw God in the hearts of fellow Christians and in the shy smiles of the children whose parents brought them to church.”
Parmelee was among a group of Allen’s church friends who took his ashes to Vashon Island, Wash., where he spent happy years of his childhood with his grandfather. She talked about his strong feelings for York, remembering it for many happy times and for nurturing his refound faith. She said, “Allen needed people to guide him in the redirection of his life, and he found those people at York.” n
Also included in Allen’s personal items were his York College yearbooks, filled with autographs and heartfelt sentiments such as these from classmates:
You are one of the strongest Christians that I have come in contact with and I appreciate you very much. I know you’ll make your life a successful one. – Spike Odell
I’ve never met a guy quite like you. You have certainly been an inspiration to me this year. May you continue to do the Lord’s work and may He be with you always. – Janet Majors
Thanks for being such a great Christian influence on me this year. I can see Christ working in your life. – Tim Keesling
My friendship with you has been a growing experience—watching you and your treatment of other people helps me to not be such a respecter of persons. – Roxanne Cowan
You’ve helped make 1970-71 a year I’ll always remember. You have done a lot for York. I will need your zeal and ambition to help make 71-72 another great year. I love the way you serve the Lord. – Dan Fraser
I hope you have gained as much from our friendship as I have. Because of you, I have come closer to God and people. May God bless you. – Rick Atkinson
It’s been a great year for YC and you have been a big part of it. I know you’ve done a lot of work that hasn’t been recognized. May God bless you next year and all of your life. – Marilyn Murphy
And sentiments from faculty:
Thanks Al for showing all of us what outstanding quality you are. A great future awaits you. – Joe K. Alley
Al, good to have you in class — preach the word! – Alex Humphrey Jr.
Dear Allen, I have learned to appreciate you deeply this year. Thanks for being the helpful person you are. – Roger Hawley
Al, glad you came to York!. You have added much of value to the campus! The best of the Lord’s blessings this summer and rest of life. – Woody Kirk
Allen, I have really enjoyed our friendship this year and hope this is only the beginning of many years of fellowship. May the Lord bless you always. – Gayle Napier
