Laton Dean Allison, age 79, passed away on October 15, 2024, leaving behind a lifetime of laughs, lessons, adventures, memories and a legacy as big as his personality.
Born on October 27,1944 to Herbert and Helen Allison, Laton was a true original, known for his intelligence, quick wit, generous spirit, and occasional hot temper.
He was predeceased by his parents, niece Becky Lindeman, nephew Scott Lindeman and cherished wife of more than 57 years, Janet Lee Allison, who he married on August 12, 1966, in the First Christian Church in Stanberry. He survived by his sister, Melba Gail Lindeman (Doug) and his beloved children Tracy Lee Boone (Tom) and Craig Tyler Allison (Marci). Laton was also the treasured “Gramps” to Sally Boone, Jane Boone, Henry Boone, Charlie Boone, and Joseph Allison. He was endlessly proud of the people his children and grandchildren grew up to be.
After earning his civil engineering degree in 1962 from Missouri School of Mines (now Missouri S&T), Laton began his career as a Flight Structures Engineer at Boeing Co. of Wichita, KS, working on the Boeing 737 airplane in 1965. In 1967, he joined the local Army Reserve Transportation Company and eventually transferred to the Missouri National Guard 129th field artillery Company A in Albany Missouri in 1968 and was discharged as an E-5 Sergeant in the fire direction unit in 1974. During that time, in 1969, he returned to his hometown to run Allison Concrete Products alongside his father. Allison Concrete Products was in business for 53 years and produced more than 66 million blocks before the two retired and sold the business in 2000.
Laton wasn’t very good at being retired and was always willing to step up when his community needed him, serving on the Board of Albany Hospital, Stanberry Board of Public Works, and Pine View Manor Board. He was a volunteer pilot for Angel Flights, flying families to visit their loved ones in hospitals, and the general contractor for the construction of the new Stanberry R-II School. Laton was a proud flight instructor, Cub Scout leader, Science Olympiad Tutor, lifetime member of the Stanberry Golf Course, Grand Marshall of the Fourth of July Parade, and one of the founding members of Wingnuts Flying Club.
Laton leaves behind a family who will forever miss his booming voice, spontaneous history lessons, and his fierce passion. His legacy of generosity, goofiness, and maybe just a bit of yelling lives on in every person whose life he touched. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten—after all, you don’t forget someone like Laton Allison.