Allen died December 20, 1990, in Deer Creek, Oklahoma. His grandfather was a Mennonite pastor and brought the Moyer family to Oklahoma in 1901. Allen was born on the family farm December 6, 1917. He attended school in Deer Creek and played football, participated in band and FFA activities.

Allen attended Northern Oklahoma Jr. College and later transferred to Bethel College in Kansas. After the war he intended to get his college degree, but his father was disabled in a farming accident and Allen had to take over the farm. However, all three of his sons were able to graduate from college.

He was one of the few Civilian Public Service Smokejumper to jump all three years the CPS jumpers handled operations out of Missoula.

Allen served on local school boards and was involved in raising sheep in the Deer Creek area. He was a member of the Mennonite Church and served on the board of director of his local church. His wife said that his time with the smokejumper unit was the highlight of his life.