Obituary of Allen Ross Washington

Allen Ross Washington was born on December 14, 1963 to the late Nathaniel Washington and the late Dorothy Lee (Austin) Washington. He graduated from Pershing High School in Detroit, Michigan and later attended truck driving school and learned small engine repair at Wayne County Community College.

Allen met and married the love of his life, Dianne Franklin on May 18, 1990 in Toledo, Ohio. It was from this union that came the birth of their three children - Austin (22), Ashley (21) and Davis (16). He was a long-time member of Dunbar Road Church of Christ where he was very active as both the church groundskeeper and usher.

Allen’s greatest passion was cars, especially Ford Mustangs. In his 54 years, he owned 51 cars. He was much more likely to remember someone by the type of car they drove than their name. Besides being able to fix anything that broke down, he also enjoyed classical music, mountain biking, motorcycle riding and watching Formula One racing. Allen’s family remembers him as a private person, but those who knew him, knew him well.  Allen had a great sense of humor, which remained with him until the end of his life. He was also a truck driver for 33 years, a job that he loved, where he clocked over 1,000,000 miles behind the wheel. He spent the last 10 years as a driver at Welch Packaging in Toledo, OH. He often shared stories with his family of his coworkers and work friends.

Allen also had a fondness for gardening and yard work. He took pride in maintaining his indoor plants and kept his lawn immaculate.

Allen Ross Washington, age 54, of Monroe, passed away on Friday, May 25, 2018 at St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo surrounded by his wife and children. His passing is preceded by his parents.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife of 28 years: Dianne Washington; his two sons: Austin Washington and Davis Washington; his daughter: Ashley Washington; his brother: Gregory Washington; his two sisters: Angela (Charles) Sanders and Eleanor O’Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be missed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734)384-5185. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.