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A private memorial ceremony will be held at a later date for Michael Wayne Allen, of Fairview. Arrangements by Fairview Funeral Home Inc.
Michael Wayne Allen, better known to many as “Tinker,” left this world on August 1, 2025, with a Dr. Pepper in hand and a Hank Jr. song playing in his head. He was 57.
Born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas on May 29, 1968, Mike lived a life full of grit, generosity, and just the right amount of mischief. After graduating, he worked alongside his dad at JM Petroleum and spent time on the family ranch in Northeast Texas before settling in Northwest Oklahoma.
In 1992, he married Wendy Laznovsky, and together they raised two children who were the absolute light of his life: Gina Johnson (Matt) of Hugoton, Kansas, and Tim Allen (Jen) of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mike’s devotion to his family never wavered, and his love showed up in everything from fixing broken engines to writing poetry that could stop you in your tracks.
Over the years, Mike wore many hats—truck driver, dozer operator, mechanic—but his favorite title was probably “Tinker.” If it had an engine, he could fix it. If it was broken, he could build it better. And if you were down on your luck, he’d give you his last dollar—no questions asked.
He had a deep love for old country music, inappropriate jokes, and remembering every song lyric and historical date better than most textbooks. With a poet’s soul and a voice that could carry a tune better than some jukeboxes, Mike might have been a songwriter in another life. In this one, he was simply unforgettable.
Mike is survived by his children, Gina and Tim, his sisters Becky McCray (Joe) of Hopeton, OK; Connie Foote (Tom) of Alva, OK; Jennifer Hess (Scott) of Alva, OK; and Tanya Franklin (Glenn) of Enid, OK. his aunt Malinda (JD) Green of Norman, cousins Matt Achemire of Norman; John (Jordon) Achemire of Tulsa. He also leaves behind a dear friend, Shirley Quick of Clarksville, TX, a tribe of grandchildren, countless friends, and extended family who all knew the comfort of his presence and the magic of his stories.
If Mike had written his own obituary, it would have been short and sweet: “Keep on truckin’.” So, we will.
Flowers? Mike would want you to help others instead by sending a donation to Valley Hope, 100 S. Jones Avenue, Cushing OK 74023.
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