Charles W. “Charlie” Allinson passed away Friday, Sept. 21 in Delta, CO. He was 50 years old. Charlie, the son of William Allinson and Virginia nee Joern, Allinson, was born near Oakland, CA on Sept. 29, 1950. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to LaGrange, IL. A 1968 graduate of Lyons Township High School, Charlie attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration and received his Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1974. He married Jacqueline M. “Jackie” Gowgiel in LaGrange on Aug. 19, 1972. Charlie and Jackie celebrated their 29th anniversity last month by scaling Uncompahgre Peak, one of Colorado’s 14,000-plus foot mountains. He was employed by the State of Colorado as the Director of Developmental Disabilities. Charlie was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Delta as well as the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, the Knights of Columbus and was a former member of the Delta City Council and the Delta Elks Lodge No. 1235. Charlie loved all aspects of life. He enjoyed the outdoor life, from fishing to hiking to skiing. He was a passionate reader. Charlie loved to play sports with his sons. Charlie’s sense of humor was unmatched and few could refuse to smile when around him. He was unique, spiritual, intelligent, caring, and fun. Surviving family members include his wife, Jacqueline, of Delta; three sons: Matthew William Allinson of Denver, Jeremy Charles Allinson of Ft. Collins, and Jeffrey Lambert Allinson of Delta. Other survivors include his mother, Virginia Allinson of Onekama, MI; one brother, Thomas Allinson of Brookfield, IL; and two sisters: Kathy Allinson of Chicago and Elizabeth and husband Tim Durkin of Belmont, MI. Charlie was preceded in death by his father, William Allinson; and one sister, Christine Allinson. A memorial Mass was officiated by Rev. Nathanael Foshage on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Delta. Contributions may be made to: Delta High School Boys’ Basketball Team, In Memory of Charlie Allinson, 1400 Pioneer Rd., Delta, CO 81416 or St. Benedict’s Monastery, In Memory of Charlie Allinson, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, CO 81654.
