Len Allen

Len Allen

OGDEN - Leonard Michael Serio, aka Len Allen, died peacefully Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 at the Ogden Regional Medical Center. He was 79 years old.

Len had an exemplary life of service and a remarkable career for the past 59 years as a radio personality, civic worker, parade announcer, master of ceremonies at hundreds of events, a loving parent and husband and friend to all. He never met a stranger. His strong baritone voice became recognized as The Voice of Northern Utah.

He arrived in Ogden on Oct 7, 1946 after leaving radio in New Orleans where he assumed the name Len Allen after his employer told him Serio wouldn't fly as a name of a radio personality. He tried the name Len Allen after the comedian Fred Allen. It was a good fit, he decided. He was always known to his listeners on KLO radio as Len Allen and went on to become one of Ogden's most prominent citizens.

Len was born Feb 6, 1926 in Dayton, Ohio to Charles Serio and Josephine Balsamo. He was married to the loved of his life, his partner in all activities and dedicated caretaker, Dena Eames on June 15, 1948 after a short courtship following a call she made to his radio show to request he play her favorite song.

Len and Dena are proud parents of three sons and two daughters: Steven Serio (Jan); Teri Lyn Furniss (Scott); Mike Serio (Brenda); Kimberly A. Wood; and Jef Serio (Dondi). There are 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who Len cherished as the joy of his life. His sister Nancy Osterday and her husband Gil also survive. His parents, his brother Mike and one grandchild preceded him in death.

Len was passionately committed to making Ogden the perfect place to live, recreate and raise a family. He strived tirelessly to be an active participant on boards and devote energy and time to membership in civic clubs and cultural organizations. He was a member of the Weber County Fair board and traditionally opened the fair as master of ceremonies and remained on site each day to talk fair-goers through the many activities. He also served boards of the Golden Spike Arena, Family Counseling, Union Station and the Egyptian Theatre, Ramp Tax Committee and the Wasatch Intermountain Adoption Agency. He was state president of the Utah Jaycees in the 1950s.

He has been the recipient of innumerable honors among them the prestigious Wall of Fame presented by the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce, the mayor's award for the arts for his advocacy of Egyptian Theater programs. He was a member of the Ogden Exchange Club and earlier received its Golden Deeds Award. He was Utah Broadcaster of the Year on the anniversary of his 25th year in radio.

Ogden's famed Pioneer Days celebrations were Len's favorites. For several decades he provided pre-rodeo music. From his position at 25th and Washington as Pioneer Days parade announcer, his inimitable style of engaging people was enjoyed by parade-goers for more than 40 years. He also was Christmas Parade announcer for many years.

Len's golden anniversary in radio spawned the Summer of Len Allen in 1997. It was celebrated with the Pioneer Days committee selecting him as Grand Marshal, a charity golf match, a ride in an F-16 at Hill AFB, tributes at Roy Days and Layton celebrations and declaration of Len Allen Week by Ogden Mayor Glen Mecham and Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.

The anniversary culminated with a community dinner and tribute at Ogden Union Station with a sell-out crowd of more than 400 people and a host of dignitaries paying homage to Len Allen. It was at this time when he remarked, "why would I retire when going to work is such pleasure". He was at work in recent weeks, interviewing for his Saturday morning talk show on KLO radio.

He was a member of the Catholic Church and a proud Master Mason, member of Unity Lodge #18 and a Shriner, member of El Kalah Shrine. He was involved in a number of fundraisers for the Masons and the Shriner's Hospital. He enjoyed a 25-year professional association with Homer and Phidea Cutrubus and the Cutrubus Automotive Team. He served in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton during the Korean War.

A special thanks to Dr. Michael Diehl and Leslie Bean for all the love, special help and care they gave to Dad.

A celebration of Len's life will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at Myers Mortuary Chapel in Ogden, 845 Washington Blvd., with Father Charles Cummins, Celebrant. Dena and the sons and daughters will greet friends Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Those wishing to do so may make contributions to the Len Allen Scholarship Fund at Weber State University.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
October 18, 2005
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServiceMyers Mortuary of Ogden
845 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
October 19, 2005
11:00 AM
CemeteryMyers Evergreen Memorial Park
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
October 19, 2005