Herbert Eugene Allison, Sr. was born May 15, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Edgar and Marilyn Allison. He graduated from Tulsa Central High School and worked in various jobs until he found his sweet spot with the Tulsa Fire Department and the family of “brothers” at the fire station. By the time he retired, he had put in 25 years of dedicated service with Tulsa Fire, while running A & P salvage on the side. He and his wife Ada finally left the salvage and the city in 2014 when he moved to Gore and started roughing it in his beloved “bunk house.”

Big Herb had big collections. He collected literally everything, and loved telling people that he had one or two of whatever they needed. He was a lover of all things unusual, especially if it would get attention. He was very proud of his longhorn cattle and his knife and gun collection (including tomahawks and swords), along with his collection of movies, model cars, eagles, and steins, to name a few. His antique car collection boasted at least 75 cars at one time in various stages of restoration.

Big Herb had a big heart. He often invited the homeless to stay in his house, garage, or one of the camping trailers in the yard; and everyone was welcome at the dinner table. He was the “go-to” when anyone needed bailed out of a bind or needed a loan till they were up on their feet.

Big Herb had a big laugh. When it came to Dad Jokes, he had no rival. If you didn’t laugh the first time, he would tell it again. And again. He loved to scare the kids by rattling his false teeth and growling, but he made up for it with his bear hugs and laughter.

Big Herb lived a big life. But he left everything behind on October 7, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Marilyn; brothers Eddie and Larry Allison; son Herb Jr.; daughters Lisa, Malissa, and Malinda; and grandsons Sebastian, Eric and Timothy.

He left Ada, his wife of 36 years; one sister, Donna Matlock; and a host of loved ones that called him “Dad," "Pops" or "Papaw.” Among them (but by no means all) were: Eddie Allison (and Lori, with children Greg, Scott and Danielle); Herb Jr’s wife Kim Allison (with children Caleb, Bethany, Joseph, Hannah Grace, and Jubilee); Tonya Austin (and Kelly, with children Samantha, Timothy, Alaura, Zachary, and Bella); Tim DesChamp (with children Brianna, Cynthia, and Xavier); Malissa’s children Chyna and Katie; Malinda’s husband Scott Phillips (with children Maggie and Allie); Ray Brown (and Misty, with children Hailey and Carrson); Bridget Denton (and Dee with children Lexi, Ta’Kyah, MJ, Day’Shaun, Rayson, and Jaela); Michelle Phipps (with Chris and children Shayde and Willow); plus a growing number of great-grandchildren, of which he was very proud.

Memorial service will be at Keefeton Freewill Baptist Church at 4:00 pm, Sunday, October 15.

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