Allen Dale Barkley

Allen Dale Barkley was born at home in Midwest Wyoming April 1, 1928, and passed away February 7th, 2026. He was an educator, a musician, a great dad, husband, and friend.

Allen grew up in Midwest, where his dad worked in the Salt Creek oil fields. He loved people, loved laughing and making people laugh. He was named “Jester” next to one of his High School yearbook photos and always had a great repertoire of “dad jokes” and puns.

Allen started playing the flute at age 9 and became proficient, majoring in music education at the University of Wyoming. He played in the marching band, but Laramie winters are cold and a flutist can’t wear gloves, so he was happy to become the drum major, wearing gloves and a big furry hat!

After graduation from UW, he married Harriet Youtz, and together they had Margaret, Don, and Dale. He taught music and math in Green River and Huntley, Wyoming, and was the music director in Morton, Wyoming. He played in many community orchestras and ensembles over the years.

In 1957, Allen switched careers to work for Systems Development Corporation, where he trained military personnel to operate the nation’s new computer-based air defense system. This moved the family all over the country until 1964, when he went back into education in Wyoming: as the High School guidance counselor in Worland, Dean of Student Affairs at Sheridan College, and Admissions Counselor at UW. He then spent many years in Casper as guidance counselor at Natrona County High School and Centennial Junior High School until retirement.

Allen met Shirley in 1976, and they married June 3, 1978. Shirley was a magnificent gift and blessing to Allen and to his family. They lived in Casper 20 years, then Lander from 1999 until January 2026, when they moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Casper.

Allen was a skilled fly fisherman since his boyhood. He tied his own flies and knew every good fishing hole. Even in his mid-80s he fished Sinks Canyon outside Lander, and he could still jump from rock to rock and climb those steep gravelly stream banks. He and Shirley also lived several winters in Central Florida where he enjoyed floating and fishing the alligator-populated rivers in their pontoon boat.

Allen and Shirley enjoyed many adventures during their 47 happy years together, traveling the world: Europe, Russia, Alaska, Fiji, Bali, and Central and South America.

Allen thoroughly loved his new friends at Primrose, where he quickly found fellow Cribbage players. He was known for remembering names. Even in the hospital, he was beloved by the staff for thanking them by name every time they attended to him.

Allen is survived by his wife Shirley; children Margaret Barkley, Don Barkley, and Dale Barkley; stepchildren Judi Davis, Marian Doane, and Rob Doane; and 24 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made in his name to Fremont Symphony Orchestra https://fremontsymphonyorchestra.org/give

A memorial will be held at Lander United Methodist Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

To share a memory of Allen or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.