Charles Leonard Allen, age 92 of Clinton, passed away Monday, August 10, 2020. Memorial services will be held Friday, August 14, 2020 at 7pm at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior. Services will be live streamed on Vansant-Mills Funeral Home Facebook page. The family suggests memorial funds to Cross Roads Hospice and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Charles was born January 21, 1928, near Lowry City, Missouri to James Leonard and Gladys Marie (Warner) Allen. He attended school and worked mostly in the Clinton area, including working to support the family farm. He worked as a mechanic for Alva Allen Chevrolet in Clinton until being drafted to serve his country in October 1950. Upon completing Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Charles shipped overseas and served in battle as a Tank Commander during the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism for actions taken under fire to repair and remove a tank that had been hit and disabled, trapping two other tanks and their crews. His actions resulted in saving several lives. His service continued in Korea until he was injured by a land mine, which eventually resulted in a lower leg amputation upon his return stateside. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained.

Charles returned to Missouri where he met, courted, and eventually married Virginia Lou Langley of Kansas City, Missouri on September 4, 1954. They began their married life in New Castle, Indiana, where Charles worked as a print setter for the local newspaper. They also started their family there, adopting their first three children. In 1964, their family increased by one more immediately before returning to Missouri, where Charles worked for the Kansas City Star and also built cabinets for new home construction. They adopted two more children after they returned to Missouri for a total of six kids. They had just celebrated 56 years together when Virginia passed away on November 13, 2010. Throughout their marriage, Charles and Virginia loved and cared for more than 35 foster children and were strong advocates for adoption. In 1972, Charles and Virginia opened a Dairy Queen in Raytown, Missouri and successfully operated the business until moving to Clinton in 1978, when they purchased the local Dairy Queen. Throughout their years in business, Charles and Virginia received regional, national, and international awards recognizing their success and leadership in the Dairy Queen organization and greater business community. They continued to own and operate the Clinton Dairy Queen until retiring in 1999. While in Dairy Queen, Charles and Virginia also opened and operated the Royal Palms for several years, which was a very popular local restaurant and lounge in Clinton. Throughout their years in the business community, they were strong supporters and sponsors for multiple civic, charitable, and community organizations in, and around, the Clinton area. Charles continued actively volunteering for various local organizations for several years into his retirement. Charles and Virginia were also strong supporters of foreign exchange student programs and served as a host family to several international students.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his sister Helen Marie Allen (1937); sister Evelyn Irene (Allen) Corum (1999); sister Mildred L (Allen) Bradley (2004); brother Edward Leroy Allen (2013); and brother Delbert Ray Allen (2015).

Charles is survived by his six children, Martha Allen of Humansville, Missouri, Chuck Allen of Clinton, Missouri, Louann Allen of Lucasville, Ohio, Brian Allen (Shelly) of Columbia, Missouri, Sean Allen of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Mark Allen of Independence, Missouri; and seven grandchildren.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton.