H. Allyn Wilkinson of the Ojai Valley for over 60 years, passed on April 7, 2026 at the age of 97.
(Mostly in his own words) He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on February 17, 1929, to Wilma F. Turner and George H. Wilkinson. When he was two years old, the family moved to New Gloucester, Maine where he grew up and attended school.
He was a World War II Veteran where he served as a Communications Specialist, trained in both Cryptography and Morse Code. He also serve in the United Nations Security Commission on the Balkans (UNSCOB), a special force, which was commissioned by President Truman to serve in Greece with the United Nations after World War II.
After discharge from the Army, Allyn worked for Shell Oil Company in geophysical exploration in several Rocky Mountain states as a Surveyor. Not until later did he realize he was a pioneer in the blossoming technology of seismology as it applied to searching for untapped oil reserves. Eventually, the land-based operation developed into a marine operation.
He met his destined to be wife, Janet Bright, in Yellowstone Park. He was exploring the West with buddies, and she was enjoying a high school graduation outing with her mother and friends. Janet and friends saw his Maine license plate and yelled out, “Idaho potatoes are better than Maine potatoes!” They were looking for a camping spot, so Janet’s mother invited them to come and stay on the farm. They were married in 1955.
After graduating from Utah State University, he and the family (three children by then) moved to the Ventura, CA area, where he had a job with Shell Oil, settling in Ojai. After leaving Shell, he was first responsible for capital improvement projects for the Casitas Municipal Water District, and then he worked as Deputy Director of Utilities for the City of Thousand Oaks. He specialized in the collection, transmission and distribution of potable water and was responsible for the controlled growth of the city as it relates to water and wastewater. Along the way, Allyn was active in professional organizations and was a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a Life Member of both ACSE and American Waterworks Association (AWWA), and a member of the Mayflower Society. During all his travels for work, he was only mugged once in San Jose. After 25 years, he retired to give back to the community that had given him so much.
During retirement, Allyn was a caregiver for Help of Ojai for twelve years, a service he embraced. When Teen Challenge needed an engineer for the installation of their sewer systems, he provided pro bono management which made the project possible.
Allyn was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he acquired the spirit of giving of ones self. There, he served in many capacities including Sunday School President. Allyn was also a supporter of the Boy Scouts of America both locally and nationally. He was a lover of fine music, had a fine tenor voice, and was active in choir music most of his life.
Allyn loved his family and was dedicated to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother David Wilkinson of Gray, Maine, his wife Janet, and daughter Alynne. He is survived by his sons Daniel Wilkinson and Dean Wilkinson (Andrea), and his grandchildren Jake Wilkinson (Janelle) and Phoebe Wilkinson and many other relatives.
The family thanks Los Robles Healthcare and all his doctors, and VC Humane Society for throwing him a 97th birthday party in February.
Allyn was laid to rest with military honors in Rigby, ID, next to his wife and daughter. There will be a celebration of life on May 9th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 411 San Antonio St. in Ojai at 11 am.