CAREFREE – After Carefree Councilman Jim Van Allen missed the Oct. 3 council meeting, Sonoran News learned it was because he fell and broke his hip.
Friends immediately rallied to his aid, were able to get him a wheelchair through Kiwanis and it appeared Van Allen would be on the mend.
However, early Monday morning, John Traynor sent out a message to his Carefree’s Future Matters email list announcing, “It is with great sadness, and a sense of true loss, that I inform you of Jim Van Allen’s passing Saturday afternoon, Oct. 7.”
It was exactly one month shy of Van Allen’s 80th birthday.
Traynor went on to say, “In the stream of life I guess you could say that I didn’t know Jim very long, just about six years. Sure, I knew of him prior to that from his service with the MCSO Posse, and as a dedicated volunteer with the chamber of commerce and at various Carefree events. I had even been stopped and lectured by him for ‘rolling’ through a stop sign near my home. Jim was tough. He followed the rules and expected others to do likewise. Besides tough he was honest, decent, and dedicated to Carefree, giving generously of his personal time … Carefree residents have lost a truly dedicated friend and representative.”
The town posted and emailed a message Monday afternoon declaring sadness upon hearing the news of Van Allen passing, with the mayor, town council and town staff offering condolences to his wife, Marcia, and family.
The message went on to state, “Jim was devoted to his family and to the town of Carefree. He and Marcia built their new home in Carefree in 2002. Upon completion of their home, Jim volunteered for the MCSO Posse, where he served for almost eight years. Jim also served as a volunteer at the Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce.
“Jim was elected to the Carefree Town Council on two occasions, and was an enthusiastic ambassador for the town. He volunteered his time and efforts tirelessly for the benefit of Carefree and its residents.
“Council Member Van Allen will be sorely missed, but his contributions to Carefree will live on.”
