Allen Shields, Jr.

Allen Edward Shields, Jr. was born April 19, 1937, in Ripley, Oklahoma to Allen Edward Shields, Sr. and Zadie Martin Shields. Allen grew up in Pawhuska, Oklahoma surrounded by his grandparents, a host of cousins, and his brothers, Jim, Harold, Alvin, Clifford, Keith, Ronnie, and Gary, and his sisters, Yvonne, Debra, Deliah, Margaret, Sylvia, Cheryl, Centoria, Evelyn, and Vivian. As a small child, Allen did not crawl, he would scoot everywhere he went, giving him the nick name "Scoot"! Allen attended Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he had much school pride. It was there were Allen learned to read music and play several instruments, but his favorite was the trombone. Through his music, he received many awards, and played with big band greats like, B.B. King and others. He played for the Booker T. Basketball team earning a scholarship to the HBCU Philander Smith College. While in College, he studied Physical Education and Psychology. Allen pledged to be a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. During his time in college, Allen met his soulmate, Emma Adams, and in 1957, the two were married. The newlyweds made their home in Wichita, Kansas where they were blessed with two children; Kenneth Barry and Dwan Mechele. Allen moved his family to Denver, Colorado in 1960, to work for his father's construction company. Construction came easy to Allen, after moving and accepting the job; he would soon became a Master Bricklayer. He loved the construction business so much that his wife would often say, "He's out playing in the dirt somewhere," whenever someone would call home looking for him. Allen also joined the Prince Hall Denver Chapter Masons. Shortly after settling down in Denver, the couple was blessed with two more children, Douglas Eugene and Patrick Allen. As the boys were growing up and joining sports, Allen helped coach the Montbello Youth Football Team, he wanted to ensure that his boys were coached properly on the sport. Allen enjoyed going to track meets and watching all four of his children run. He would often tell people how fast his daughter, Dwan, was and how no one could catch her. Later, Allen was blessed with 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren who were an added source of joy. Allen's grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved to visit him at the house. With a growing family, Allen joined the Parks Police Department. His fellow officers would speak of him as a man of integrity and determination. In 1999, Allen Shields retired from the Parks Police Department. While in retirement, he slowly moved away from his construction company leaving it to his son, Douglas. However, he still kept busy with small side projects including building a steeple for his home church, First Baptist Church South in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Pastored by his lifelong friend Travis Finley and First Lady and Cousin Edna Finley. In 2002, Allen became an active member of True Light Baptist Church under the spiritual direction of Reverend Dr. William T. Golson. He sang in the Men's Chorus and frequented weekly bible study. In his later years, Allen enjoyed sitting in his favorite chair watching countless hours of western shows and late night movies. He also enjoyed taking vacations back home to Pawhuska, which he lovingly called "Big Foot Country". He had many friends and family back home that he enjoyed visiting. Allen Shields Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Edward Shields Sr. and Zadie Shields; three sisters, Yvonne Westbrook, Debra Shields, Deliah Dennis; and one brother, Harold Shields. Allen Edward Shields, Jr. departed this life on Tuesday, February 12, 2015 in Aurora, Colorado. Those left to cherish him memory and to mourn his loss include his wife, Emma Shields; his daughter, Dwan Shields, both of Denver; three sons, Kenneth (Tabitha) Shields of Georgia, Douglas Shields, Patrick Shields, both of Denver; his brothers, Jim Westbrook, Alvin Shields, Clifford Shields, Keith Shields, Ronnie Shields, Gary Shields; his sisters, Margaret (Orstel) Grey, Sylvia Bailey, Cheryl Shields, Centoria Shields, Evelyn Shields, , Vivian Shields, both of California; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 2/15/2015 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 2/16/2015 at 11:00 AM - True Light Baptist Church - 14333 Bolling Drive, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 2/16/2015 - Immediately Following the Service Eastlawn Memorial Gardens - 19600 East Smith Road Aurora, CO