John Milton Allgire, 1915 to 2011, of Oak Harbor, filled his life with love, adventure, community, friends and service.

Born Feb. 20, 1915, in Brawley, Calif., John was the second son of Harold and Lydia Allgire, a farming family.

A good student who loved being a Boy Scout, John’s childhood was filled with adventure. When he wasn’t camping or exploring the Brawley area, he worked part-time jobs to help his family through the Great Depression. John graduated in 1932 from Brawley High School.

In 1933, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. One of the first of two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, the USS Lexington, was the first of many ships John sailed on through the ‘30s and ‘40s. He served in World War II, in 50 cities and dozens of countries, cooking for thousands of troops as a commissary man. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. He served in China, Manila, Hawaii, Iceland, New York, New Zealand, Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal), Whidbey Island and in the occupation of Japan in the early 1950s. Hundreds of his stories of Navy life fill his 2006 book, “Allgire’s Story.”

In 1943, John was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island. Two months later, he met Myrtle Peterson, of Bow, Wash., at a Valentine’s Day dance. He was instantly smitten with Myrtle, a very nice, smart, pretty girl with bright red hair. Just four months later, they were married, sharing 67 happy years together, living in New York, Virginia, Japan, and making their home in Oak Harbor in the ‘50’s. John retired from the Navy after 20 years, working in NAS civil service for another 20 years in the transportation department and calibration lab.

John & Myrtle have two children, Steve and Jill. In 1963, they co-founded The Casual House, a women’s clothing store on Oak Harbor’s Pioneer Way, which, 48 years later, is still in business and operated by their daughter Jill. John spent decades as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts, coaching little leagues, the Methodist Church, the YMCA, United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Gideons. He served on several boards. John found many opportunities to give back to community organizations and, in 2007, he and Myrtle were recognized for a lifetime of achievement by the city of Oak Harbor. With many good friends across the city, he was known for great jokes and great storytelling.

John passed away, surrounded by family, on June 21, 2011, at 96 years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Lydia Allgire of Brawley, Calif., and brothers David and Harrold. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle, of Oak Harbor, sister Marilyn Dempsey (Jack), and brother Robert Allgire (Tess), son Steven Allgire (Sandy), daughter Jill Schacht, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services for John Allgire will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with full military honors. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. with Pastor David Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America-Mount Baker Council, the First United Methodist Church or the Rotary Club of Oak Harbor. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation, Oak Harbor.