A son, brother, our father, loving husband, a friend and his most treasured title ‘Papa John’ to five cherished grandchildren, passed away after a courageous fight with cancer on July 18th. John was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, son of the late John and Erdine Allan and had two siblings Charlean and Gerald. It was however an insatiable desire for knowledge that brought him to Lethbridge. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1959, with his bachelor of science in botany, he then made his way to the University of Indiana, where in 1962, he completed his Master of Arts in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. Upon receiving a scholarship from the National Research Council of Canada (quite an honor for an American student to receive) he headed off to Saskatoon and he got not only his Doctorate in Plant Physiology from the University of Saskatchewan, but more importantly he found the love of his life, Judith Isabel Henry. John and Judie were married on July 24th, 1963, and soon started a family. He started work as a Plant Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Station in 1965 and retired in 1993. John was the loving father of William Mark (Dollie) of Phoenix, Robert Michael (Jacquie) from Surrey, David John (Brenda) from Strathmore and Leslie Michelle of Calgary. Our father pursued many interests to the fullest, by taking courses in sausage making, meat cutting, wine making, wood working, photography as well as spending time enjoying the outdoors and cottage life at Kingsmere Lake outside of Ottawa, Ontario. Upon his retirement in 1993 he soon decided to pursue other interests and began making muffins, part time for Robin’s Donuts. It was after Judie retired in 2000, when he finally gave himself permission to slow down and simply concentrate on one of the biggest joys in life, being a proud ‘Papa’ to Olivia Margaret, Robert Steven, Courtney Victoria, Kiara Isabel, and Cayley Alissa. These five special grandchildren never had to want for anything simply because Papa was always there. It was also around this time that John and Judie began a Friday morning ritual of breakfast with their dearest and closest friends. John is survived by seven of the ‘Friday Morning breakfast friends,’ Judy, Ralph (Darlene) Maier, Daryl Alexander & Anne Whiteside, Linda Brandvold, Brenda Miron and predeceased by two other of the friends, Doug Brandvold, and Jack Miron. Papa John passed exactly the same way he lived his life, on his own terms. He was fond of the statement that actions and deeds are the true measure of a man, not the letters following his name, and will be remembered for always being there for a friend in need. We will miss you dearly, Papa John. A celebration of life service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 11:00 am with Reverend Elizabeth Brown officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice in his name.