Allen Ward Jeffus

Allen Ward Jeffus was born on May 14, 1938, to Allen Levelle Jeffus and Velma Evangeline (née Megown) Jeffus, and died on October 11, 2025. He had three older sisters, Phyllis Hershman (deceased), Eleanor Matal (deceased), Barbara Young, one younger sister, Judith Benton, and his “bro” (brother-in-law), Cotty Matal.

Allen married Diane Gabel in 1958 and had one son, Michael D. Jeffus, born in 1959. They subsequently divorced. He married Mary Bradley Rogers in 1966; they divorced after many years of marriage. In 1998 he reconnected with his high school flame Neta Pollom (née Wurm); they wed in October 1999 and were very happily married for the remainder of his life.

Allen attended grade school, junior high, and high school in Oberlin, Kansas. During his senior year he was quarterback of the undefeated Decatur County High School football team, which won the Northwest Kansas League title in 1955. He graduated from DCHS in 1956.

Allen attended Fort Hays State University, where he played basketball on scholarship. He was drafted into the US Army shortly after his third year of college and was sent to Korea, returning to the US in 1963. Allen graduated from Fort Hays in 1965 with a BA in English. Periodically he worked as a roughneck in the oil fields of western Kansas, which enabled him to finish college.

After graduating from college, Allen moved to Sacramento, California and taught English and Literature at Sacramento Senior High School and nearby Woodland Junior High. While he taught school, he attended law school at The University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and Humphries School of Law in Stockton, California, at night. He graduated in 1971 with a Juris Doctorate degree. His constitutional law professor was Anthony Kennedy, who later served on the US Supreme Court.

After passing the California Bar in December 1971, he was admitted to practice in California in January 1972. He then moved to San Diego, California, and opened a law office there. During his career he did some legal work for the front office of the San Diego Chargers and many of the players. He practiced until February 2000, at which time he sold his interest in the law firm and moved back to his native Kansas, to Topeka, with Neta.

He was an avid fan and 26-year season ticket holder of the Chargers. After moving back to Kansas he became a Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoyed watching a winning team for a change.

Allen was an avid, lifetime golfer, and played many courses throughout the US, Scotland (including Saint Andrews), and Ireland. His favorite course was the South Course of Torrey Pines in San Diego, with Royal County Down Golf Course in Newcastle, Ireland, a close second.

The light of Allen’s eyes were his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Son Michael (Denise) has two sons, Andy (Jaime), and Aaron; stepson Russell Pollom (Janell) has a daughter, Jessica, and two sons, Samuel and Wyatt; stepdaughter Jamie Botts (Jim) has a daughter, McKenzie Halvorson (Nick), and two sons, Brandon (Claire) and Tanner. Granddaughter McKenzie (Nick) has a daughter, Marlie Sue, a beautiful great granddaughter, and Cooper, a great grandson. His love extended to his four nieces and five nephews who adored their Uncle Lum, as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews. And one who is missing him terribly, Sophie Abraham, his beloved dog.

Allen was one of a kind with the type of personality that lit up the room when he walked in. He frequently had friends and family in stitches with his great sense of humor and sharp wit. He lived a full life. He loved to travel and journeyed to many places: Japan, Hawaii, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, safari in Zimbabwe and Zambia, and throughout the US.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to the Sandwich Ministry at Grace Episcopal Cathedral 701 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603 Phone: (785) 235-3457