Francis (Fran, Franny) F. Allen

Francis (Fran, Franny) F. Allen, 92, died Friday, Sept.18, 2015 at his home at the Open A Ranch, Lakeview.
Fran was born Dec. 29, 1922 at Oakland, Calif., the youngest of three children born to Francis F. and Clara (Dooley) Allen.
He graduated from the University of Calif., Berkeley in 1943.  He attended midshipman’s school at the University of Notre Dame and was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy.  He retired from the navy as a captain in 1968, after 7 1/2 years active duty and serving in the reserves.
He commanded a LCT at Normandy Red Beach on D-Day.  He was also on active duty during the Korean Conflict.  He proudly displayed his framed battle flag and banner from his LCT.
After his WWII service, he returned to California and received his MBA in San Francisco where he founded an advertising firm, which became Allen & Dorward. The firm was founded with agricultural clients and became the largest independent agency in the west. He also founded and operated a manufacturing company, Bermuda Research Corp. Fran sold his ad agency in 1978 and moved to Lakeview to pursue his ranching dream.
In 1969 Fran purchased the Mendell Ranch north of Lakeview.  In 1970, he hired Jack Damuth and they became partners in Open A Herefords for 25 years.  Jack’s son Matt now runs the Open A Ranch.  Matt’s son, Cord, was hired in 2014 to work with his dad.
Fran enjoyed backpacking with his daughters in the high Sierras, hunting with his Brittany Spaniels, fly fishing around the world, skiing and travelling to places like Australia, New Zealand, India, Nepal, China and Europe.  For 30 years he was a part-time resident of Borrego Springs, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Janice McConnico, along with his brother and sister.
Survivors include his wife, Gail; daughter, Sally Allen; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy Allen and Marc Landry and Lucy Allen and Rob Hellquist; grandchildren, Chris (Jessica) McConnico, Will McConnico, Sarah McConnico, Lauren Morse and Courtney Morse and great-grandchildren, Gavin and Savannah McConnico.
A family burial will be held at the ranch at a later date.
Donations in Fran’s memory may be made to the Lake County Library Endowment Fund P.O. Box 44, Lakeview 97630 or to the Borrego Springs Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 1051, Borrego Springs, Calif. 92004.
Ousley Osterman Huffstutter Funeral Chapel has charge of the arrangements.