Allen Rainbolt
December 20, 1942 - February 12, 2026
Allen Dean Rainbolt, age 83, peacefully passed away on February 12, 2026 in Denver, Colorado when he finally got his wish for, “the Good Lord to heal me or take me”. He was born in New Albany, Indiana on December 20, 1942. Allen spent most of his life in Fort Wayne, IN intermixed with brief moves to Texas and Michigan before moving to Denver in 2021.
Allen was a 1961 graduate of Southside High School, where he was an accomplished cross-country runner and met his first love, Juanita Wonderly. He was a long time International Harvester employee, and proud union steward, and eventually retired from Ft. Wayne’s Park Center where he was known for leaving sweet notes and funny comics for staff to find.
As a young man and father, Allen loved photography, travel, music and being active. He was always up for adventure and trying new things. He enjoyed biking, racquetball, swimming, golf, concerts, sporting events, weekend drives in the country, and family trips to Cedar Point. His favorite travels were to Türkiye and adventures to Costa Rica and Panama. He felt most at home surrounded by nature and spent vacations and free-time outdoors camping, hiking, rock climbing, sailing, and backpacking. He had a keen sense of wonder and always found beauty in small details.
In “Chapter 2”, Allen was a partner with Paula Wicks enjoying many wonderful years together and embracing the transition from band-dad to soccer-dad.
A great fan of the Indiana Hoosiers, he still lamented the firing of Bob Knight even though, “he could be an ass sometimes”. He was very happy and proud to see the Hoosiers win the CFP championship: “How the hell did they do that?” he quipped.
Allen had a wonderful sense of humor and never knew a stranger. He was a helper, gift-giver, a skilled bargain hunter, and a MacGyver of car repairs (doing wonders with duct tape, rope, plywood, and bungy cords).
Allen is survived by his daughters, Terri Rainbolt Kett of Denver, Colorado and Sherri Rainbolt of Indianapolis, Indiana; two stepchildren, Michael Furtaw of Lincoln, Nebraska and Katie Kenueke of Chicago, Illinois; and a sister, Arlene Pelz of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was “Papa” to four grandchildren, Dakota, Molly, Sean, and Alex.
The family asks that anyone suffering from major depressive disorder, seek treatment and never give up hope. His family plans a private interment this summer.