Allen Roger Sloan

Allen Roger Sloan, 78, passed away surrounded by his family on July 10, 2025, at 7:10pm. Being a numbers guy, it is so fitting to have the numbers align. 7-10-25 at 7:10. Allen was born March 31, 1947, in St. Ignatius, Montana to George and Elbira Sloan. He graduated from Ronan High School in 1965.

Allen was married to his high school sweetheart, Peggy Lockwood on June 18, 1965. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Although being in the hospital at the time, one was able to witness the commitment and love they have for each other. A true example of fulfilling wedding vows.

Allen and Peggy have two children, Dawn and Dustin. You could catch Allen saying he was blessed with his daughter living one mile that way, as he pointed to the west and his son living 1.5 miles this way, pointing to the southeast.

Allen was employed by Salish & Kootenai Housing Authority (SKHA) for over 33 years. In 1983 Allen became the Work Project Coordinator. In 1986 he was appointed the Community Housing Services Manager. He ended his tenure as Operation Division Manager with SKHA. During his service at SKHA he was active on the Facilities Appropriation Advisory Board for the Billings Area Indian Health Service. He also served as a member at large on the Montana Environmental Training Center Steering Committee. Allen showed decades of knowledge, personnel relations, and wisdom through his service to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.

After his retirement in January of 2012, Allen continued serving the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe. He served as a Board member for Tribal Gaming and the Mission Valley Power Utility Board. He took these assignments very seriously and was diligent in the responsibilities of the positions.

Throughout the years Allen was involved in a broad array of hobbies. Men’s slow pitch, bowling, racehorses, collecting firearms, ammo, reloading, gaming and playing the lotto.

In his young adult life, Allen was an avid bowler, managing Lucky Strike Lanes in Ronan, Riverside Lanes in Polson and opening a brand-new facility in Arlee, Jocko Lanes. He participated in leagues from 1965 to March 16, 1985, when he achieved the games perfection, rolling his “300”. During that time the 300’s were very few and far between. It was shared he would bowl four nights a week at times with tournaments on the weekends. A highlight was winning a scratch doubles tournament with his daughter, which led to the purchase of her first car. There was one tournament he traveled with the “big boys” of Missoula. Too ashamed to use a flowered suitcase to travel, Al packed his clothes in a brown paper bag. Of course, the “big boys” did some harassing and we have heard this story many times.

Allen and Peggy enjoyed the realm of quarter horse racing in the late 70’s. On the weekends with kids in tow they would travel to the northwest circuit fairs cheering on their favorite jockeys and betting the daily doubles. Helena, Missoula, and Kalispell were frequent routes. Through the years he was a proud owner of several quarter horses, with Miss Dawn Delight being a favorite. They would make quick trips to Washington and Idaho to watch them run.

Towards the end of his working years, Allen started a hobby of collecting firearms. Always looking for the next “one” he would need. Of course, this took him to the shooting range, which then led him into the art of reloading. He had quite the reloading area set up to perfect his reloading skills.

One highlight of Allen’s was a Buffalo hunt with his son, son-in law, grandson and brother from another mother. This was an exciting winter trip and the crew saw many wildlife. Allen found first try success and harvested two with great accuracy and skill!

Allen was a number guy. A take a chance guy. He liked to bid at bowling calcuttas, rodeo calcuttas, bet the horses at the track and take the chances at the lotto. He always said, “This is the one right here”.

Allen was a dedicated family man. A husband, father, grandfather. He was otherwise known as Pops.

He spent many hours following his children to the field or gym. When the grandchildren began to have sports of their own, he was always right there. In the bleachers, always supportive and lending a gentle word now and then. Allen traveled many miles following two of his grandkids on the high school rodeo circuit. This led to his love of the timed events and his love of the Cowboy Channel.

As with grandchildren, the great grandkids brought Allen much joy. He continued in his fashion of family dedication, to follow their achievements in sports and school activities. He was always interested in how they were doing and knew they each had big plans in front of them.

Allen was a watcher of all sports. The TV (bigger the better) always had a sporting event on. Depending on the season he would have a rodeo, football or basketball game on. He enjoyed participating in the family pick 'em pools and a favorite player of his was #22. IYKYK

Allen took pride in maintaining his lawn and home appearance. And what a good job he would do. You could find him on the lawn mower many days of the week. After a windstorm he would battle and cuss the branches that would fall, but they would always get picked up.

If one could summarize Allen’s life it was one of growth, dedication, determination and full of love. He was a gentle giant. When family members would ask for advice he would listen without judgement or say too many words, but he would always without fail, leave an impact on the decision to be made.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents George Sloan and Elbira Padilla Sloan and grandson Dusty Sloan.

He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Peggy, daughter Dawn (Troy) Benson, son Dustin (Johnnie) Sloan, grandchildren, Donnie (Lexi) Benson, Brittnee Benson, Ryan Sloan, great grandchildren, Braylee, Boyd, Braxton, and Blaze. Siblings Rebecca (Niles Reichardt) Sloan, Gary (Michelle) Sloan, Dallas (Stan) Fleming. Numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A graveside service will take place on July 25, 2025, at 11am at the Ronan Cemetery. Light refreshments will follow at the North Crow Clubhouse.