Allan Eugene Skalla

September 4, 1926 ~ May 29, 2008

“He dearly loved his children and grandchildren”

Allan Eugene Skalla, age 81, passed away after a lengthy illness on May 29, 2008 at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, UT.

He was born September 4, 1926, the first of three boys, at Telluride, CO to Anton Fred Skalla and Helen Beatrice Record.

He married Almina Fay Loehr in Montrose, CO on March 28, 1948. To this union, one son, Steven Allan Skalla, was born. Almina passed away in 1960.

In 1961, Allan married Eberta Evalin Riddle Harrison in Paradox, CO. With this marriage, he inherited two step-sons, Clark Edward and Scott Ebert Harrison. A daughter, Liane Eberta, joined the family on November 23, 1962.

Allan was raised in the beautiful southwest Colorado San Juan mountains. He lived on Dallas Divide and in the towns of Ridgeway, Gunnison, Norwood, Uravan, and Nucla.

He was the quarterback for his high school six-man football team which took a state championship. He earned enough credits to graduate early from Nucla High School to join the military service. A flag was draped over his chair for graduation and his mother received his diploma for him.

He served in the Army in World War II in the Asian Pacific Theatre under orders of General Douglas MacArthur. He served in the Information and Education division and was prepared to enter Japan as a forward observer; but the atomic bomb was dropped, which probably saved his life. His duty included the Philippines, Korea, and Japan.

He attended Mesa College in Grand Junction, CO for two years. He worked with his dad hauling uranium ore in the Norwood area from about 1951-56. Allan and his dad then owned and operated their own International Harvester Dealership for about 16 years in Norwood. He then went to work for Union Carbide in Uravan and then Umetco in Blanding, UT in the uranium industry for about 15 years. He retired at the age of 65.

Allan and Bertie lived for five more years in Blanding, UT. They moved to Soda Springs, ID for four years, and have lived the past six years in St. George, UT. Allan enjoyed the beauty and uniqueness of each place he lived in.

Allan was very service oriented and a strong proponent of education. He served on the Norwood School Board for 16 years, most of those years as president, receiving numerous awards and recognitions. He was on the regional board of the Co-Operative Services which promoted education. He was in the Lion’s Club for many years, serving as the local president as well as a Deputy District Governor. He also served on the town board of Norwood.

In his early years he was active in the Masonic Lodge. He served as a Worthy Patron in the Order of the Eastern Star with three separate Worthy Matrons. He was also a Grand Guard for the state of Colorado.

Allan’s number one hobby was his family. He loved to watch and participate with his children and grandchildren in any and all of their activities. He enjoyed baseball, bowling, volleyball, music, picnics in the hills, assessment work on the family uranium claims, and any board and card game ever invented. Grandpa holds the world record for losing the most games of Old Maid and Pig.

Our loving husband, father, and grandpa was completely kind hearted, soft spoken, devoted and loyal, patient, and optimistic. He loved history and was intrigued by technological advancements and truly delighted in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will truly be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Eberta, his children, Steve (Cindi), Fruita, CO; Clark Harrison, Olney, MD; Scott (Cori) Harrison, Idaho Falls, ID; and Liane (Kevin) Dorius, St. George, UT; two brothers, Derald (Jan), Montrose, CO and Dean (Judy), Ridgeway, CO; 18 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A viewing was held on June 3, 2008 prior to the service at in the chapel at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, UT. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery, St. George, UT.

We offer a special thank you to all the nurses, doctors, and staff at the hospital for their loving care. We also thank loving neighbors and friends who have given service and support in so many ways.

San Juan Record

49 South Main St
PO Box 879
Monticello, UT 84535

Phone: 435.587.2277
Fax: 435.587.3377
news@sjrnews.com
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday