[nggallery id=21]On September 23, 2012, our son, Allen passed away in Kansas City, Missouri.
Allen was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 12, 1979, to Keith and Paula Berridge. After his parents divorced, Allen was adopted by his step-father, John Wells.
At a young age, Allen was constantly on the go. He loved being around many friends, and wanted to be busy all the time. He was always riding his bike around the neighborhood. He would build ramps to jump, and went on to riding dirt bikes. He loved to go to the Challenge Track in Kingsville.
Allen was a fun loving kid, and it seemed like our front door was a revolving door of kids in and out all the time. After Allen received his GED, he began working at his parent’s business, Subtechnologies. He packed and shipped restaurant supplies.
Allen bought his first house at 3208 Summit, Kansas City, Missouri. Allen went on to his next job as a delivery driver for a local company picking up lab specimens. Due to this job, Allen knew Kansas City streets very well. People would ask Allen how to get somewhere, and he could tell them the shortest route there.
In 1998, Allen joined I & M Modeling Agency. He went to a competition in Dallas, and won two trophies. He also was chosen to do a photo shoot for Stanley Uniforms from Chillicothe, Missouri. He was dressed in several different band uniforms, and had numerous pages in their catalog. Allen also participated in a local fashion show in the Westport area.
In one way, Allen was like his grandfather, Charles West. He enjoyed buying and selling all kinds of things such as tools, stereo equipment, and other miscellaneous items. When doing this, he would take things apart and figure out how to fix them. A lot of Allen’s family and friends knew that “Allen could fix it.”
Allen had an entrepreneur’s spirit, and was involved in Fun Loft Clubhouse in Belton, Missouri and Club Evo in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
Two of Allen’s finest accomplishments are his two sons, Chandler and William. He loved his children very much, and spent as much time as he could with them. Allen encouraged his son, Chandler, in BMX Racing, helping him to win numerous trophies. He loved spending time with William, watching him grow up.
Allen was married to Gabrielle Doyle on February 12, 2012 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. It was definitely the happiest day of his life.
Allen was preceded in death by Charles West, maternal grandfather, and his aunt, Pauline West.
Allen is survived by his wife, Gabrielle, Lee’s Summit, Mo; his son, Chandler, age 12, Blue Springs, Mo; his son, William, age 4, Belton, Mo; his parents, John and Paula Wells, Lee’s Summit, MO; his grandparents, James and Phyllis Wells, Blue Springs, MO; his grandmother, Nancy West; his brother, Eric and wife Sarah; his nephews, Austin Reffitt and Sebastian Wells; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.