Farewelling beloved 'Baron'

For a man whose words had "no filter”, he's being remembered as someone who had a love for his family, his community and his football club.

LIFE'S LOVE: John and Joy Allen. The couple were married in 1992 at the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Jenna Thompson

JOHN Allen didn't always say the exact "right thing”.

"But I said it,” he'd tell wife Joy when she'd scold him.

But for the man whose words had "no filter”, he's being remembered as a man who had a love for his family, his community and his football club.

Approximately 500 people gathered in Maclean, New South Wales at Barry Watts Oval to pay their respects to John, who passed away on February 5.

He was a much-loved member of the Stanthorpe community once upon a time, with loved ones still here.

John Donald Allen was known by a few names, JB, Baron, Dad, Grandad and a few others better left unspoken.

Born July, 31, 1957 in the Southport Hospital, the eldest child of 4 to his parents James and Jean.

His siblings were Robyn (the mother of Stanthorpe's Kylie Wilson), Jimmy and Heather.

Kylie was given the duty of reading John's eulogy.

"John went to school on the Gold Coast finishing up at Miami High at the age of 14, this was because his father thought school was a waste of time and for John it felt like it had no value to him,” Mrs Wilson said.

"So he began working in one of the six family butcher shops on the Gold Coast. This is where his butchering career began.”

In 1977 the family sold up and moved to Nambour.

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"John continued to work for his father in the butcher shop, until Don realised a dream and purchased an abattoir in Stanthorpe,” Kylie said.

"John worked in Stanthorpe for roughly seven years and met some great friends.

"One of which being my father-in-law, Ron Wilson, who recently passed last month.

"Back then John would frequently crash his Holden Statesmen, hide it at Ron's place and then Ron would panel beat it so no one was the wiser.

"Eventually John had to grow up and venture on his own, so he decided to go back to the Sunshine Coast, continuing working and managing butcher shops, mainly with Doug's Family Meats at the Big Top Maroochydore.

"This is where he met the love of his life, Joy, and her son Shannon.

"Joy always commented that there was this cute butcher where she got her meat, with the nicest set of buns in tight jeans.”

Within six months of meeting Joy, they got engaged and were married in 1992 on the Sunshine Coast.

Not long after, the newlyweds moved back to Stanthorpe for John to continue in the family abattoir business, Don Allen & Co.

He worked on the kill floor and in the office as head salesman.

"As his brother Jimmy quoted, John could sell ice to an Eskimo.”

In that time John was president of Queensland Country Meat Processors for a number of years and was instrumental in starting a Young Guns program for young workers around the state of Queensland to increase their managerial skills and leadership qualities.

In Stanthorpe is where John and Joy raised their family with Shannon, their two amazing boys Mackenzie and Ryley, as well as Kylie. As the boys got older their love for soccer grew and John became heavily involved in the sport.

In 2007 after the passing of both of John's parents, the family business was sold and John and Joy decided to make the move to Maclean, where they purchased Maclean Variety Meats.

"He took great pride in all his products, entering in the sausage king competition every year and winning an award of some description,” Kylie said.

"Throughout the 11 years at Maclean Variety Meats, John and the boys enjoyed their soccer with John continuing his involvement by coaching.

"This involvement increased to positions on the board of the Maclean Bobcats and a Vice President role.

"Sponsorship of the Bobcats was a major focus for John, as was helping any committee, organisations or junior sporting club within the Clarence Valley, from nippers to netball players and even orchid clubs.

"He could be relied upon to sponsor or donate to their causes as he had a big heart willing to help at the drop of a hat.

"John's role within the Maclean Bobcats also included being a delegate at North Coast Football's meetings and a delegate for the Sports Council. He liaised with any sporting groups on behalf of the club.”

Such was his impact, that Bobcats president Matt Farrell called him "irreplaceable”. "Every game John would be at the barbecue cooking up a storm and then heading to the coaches' bench,” Kylie said.

"He was well known for his firm coaching and fierce speeches at half-time.”

Kylie said: "John's cheekiness and clever wit will be missed greatly.”