"SUCH A WONDERFUL GUY, IM SORRY TO HEAR THAT HE PASSED, I SO LOVED HIS MUSIC"
In loving memory of
Allen Lee McCloy
March 19, 1938 - December 22, 2021
Allen L. McCloy, 83, of Monmouth, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday morning, December 22, 2021, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
A celebration of Allen's life will be held at 11 A.M., Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Monday, December 27, 2021, at Carson's. Burial will be at the Monmouth, Iowa, Cemetery.
Allen Lee McCloy was born on March 19, 1938, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to William Sr. and Bernice (Risden) McCloy. He was one of nine children and grew up in the Iron Hill area. He married Charlotte Ann Behrend on November 17, 1963, in Maquoketa, Iowa.
Allen worked at Swiss Valley Farms in Maquoketa in the maintenance department for over 40 years, retiring in 2001. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and spending time with his daughters, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. Family was important and he was always eager to help anyone that needed it.
Allen started playing steel guitar at age 9 and was in area bands his whole life. Some of those bands included The Country Ramblers, The String Dusters, The Country Drifters, Joe & the Ridgerunners, Radio Flyer, and The Big House Band. In 1995, Radio Flyer won the Battle of the Bands at the Silvis Country Music Festival in the Quad Cities. Al was the "heart and soul of the band".
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Charlotte McCloy of Anamosa, IA; daughters, Lanette (Kelly) Peavey of Shenandoah, IA, and LeeAnn (Jon) Reiss of Anamosa, IA; 5 grandchildren, Lee, Drew, Kinnick, Carver and Everett; 2 step-grandchildren, Ashly and T; a brother, Larry (Liz) McCloy of Maquoketa, IA; and a sister, Rachel McCloy of DeWitt, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"LeeAnn. Hope you don't mind but just wanted to share few thots as I thinking bout your Dad. I call this "A Man Named Al." I remember the first time I met this man named Al. I was doing something in the garage when this couple pulled into our drive. I knew LeeAnn's parents were coming to meet Kendy n I for the first time. I didn't know what to expect but was hoping we would get along OK. Was I in for a surprise! It didn't take 10 seconds when this stranger said in a friendly tone, "Hello"! It was if he was addressing an 'ol friend. I knew immediately I don't have to impress this fellow. He is just as common as I am. WHEW! That was a load off my mind. For the next while I gave him a tour of the yard and it was an enjoyable evening. I looked up the meaning of the name Alan, LeeAnn, You probably know this but one of the meaning of Alan is "harmony". How fitting for a man who loves music! Then I looked up "harmony ". It means a combination of cords producing a pleasing effect." Wow! As I thot of your dad. I thot Al never made the cover of Time magazine, or was featured on national news, but what a "pleasing " effect he had on his girls and Kinnick n Carver! Simple things like fishing, Mushroom hunting, ect. I just loved his laugh and especially enjoyed how much he loved being with the boys. I could see it when we popped in a couple times to visit. It made me think of a verse. 1 Peter 2 vs 21. " Christ also suffered for us leaving an example that we should follow his steps. I thot , Jesus wasn't rich on this earth but enjoyed life and what he could do for us. It was the joy set before him. What an example! I am sure Al had bad days, and rough times like all of us, but whenever I saw him, he seemed to be a Happy Man! That's my story and I'm sticking to it! A Man Named Al. From Dave Reiss ? "
"My deepest condolences on the loss of this sweet man. Some of my best memories are from Radio Flyer band. "
"Charlotte, Leanne, and Lanette so sorry for your loss. I am truly blessed to spend my childhood with your family dancing every weekend! He was truly a gift and will be missed. "
"Charlotte and family it was very sad news to hear Allen had passed! Condolences and prayers to your family. I always liked the McCoy boys and not one was short on personality, talent and so positive. I can?t remember ever seeing a local band that Allen hadn?t played with! He brought the traditional and beautiful country music sound with his steel guitar! Heaven will rock and roll with his talent added in! Blessings to you all."
"Our sincerest sympathies to Charlotte and family. What great memories we have of Al's time with Radio Flyer.....what a great musician!!! He will be greatly missed."
"Allen was my uncle and I played guitar with him for a while in one of his bands.He was always such a vibrant person and always the heart and soul of the band .You always knew when he arrived anywhere cause he would honk his horn over and over to let you know he was there !"
"He was a such wonderful musician. When that steel guitar played it was more special. Sympathy to the family God bless."
"Will always remember my uncle Allen. I used to call him uncle applesauce. I remember my family would come over for supper and picnics in the early years. I used to go to dances where Radio Flyer would be playing and hear my uncle play his steel guitar, he was an excellent player. He was always cheerful and had a positive attitude. You will be missed and your memory will live on in our hearts. Diana Wallace (My uncle applesauce)??"
"Charlotte, LeeAnn, Lanette and families, you have our deepest sympathy in the loss of Allen. "
"Charlotte and family, Valerie and I extend our sympathies to you on Al's passing. He always had a smile and I enjoyed discussing band business with him. I've never known an actual steel player until I met him and it was fascinating to hear how he learned and developed his playing style. He definitely was a unique person . We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. God's peace, Al."
"My sympathy to you and your family, Charlotte. May the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you all."
"Sincere condolences Charlotte and family in the loss of Allen. Judy (Smith) Bowling"
"Deepest sympathy for your loss.He brings back a lot of memories living in Monmouth. "
"Sorry for the loss of your loved one. Prayers are with your family."
"I remember we were camping at Central Park, AL Dad and I were fishing late, Dad caught a 5lb cat got up next to bank an AL jumps in and grabs it an tossed up on the bsnk.?"
"My condolences for the family. Dee Ewing "
"To Charlotte and Family. My deepest sympathy. I've known Allen since he was a teenager just getting started on the steel guitar. He was a very good guitar player Always enjoyed listening and dancing to the bands he was in. . "