Obituary of Allen Churchill Dewey

Allan Churchill Dewey passed from this earthly life Saturday morning, September 17, 2022. He was 67 years old. Allan was born on May 22, 1955, in Yuba City, California, and resided most of his life in Live Oak, California. Here, he was a member of the Live Oak Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Gridley, where he sang in the choir as well as in special vocal ensembles. He attended Live Oak schools, graduating from Live Oak High School in 1973. Growing up, Allan was always fascinated by trucks and tractors, and spent portions of his summers driving tractors and forklift on the family orchard as well as for neighboring ranchers who were impressed by his tractor driving and forklift skills. After graduation, he then pursued further education in electronics in Phoenix, Arizona. It was in Phoenix that he pursued his ambition to become a truck driver, driving for a Phoenix-based newspaper. After returning from Phoenix, Allan lived in Live Oak and later moved to Yuba City where he continued to drive truck for various distinguished trucking companies. Early in his adult life, he became interested in the workings of pianos, and became a student at a major piano company's school for piano technicians. Following this, Allan enjoyed his career as a piano technician, starting his own business where he not only tuned but completed complex restorations of antique pianos. He would completely disassemble and restore these pianos with utmost care. While working as a piano technician, Allan started writing music. His music always told a story with very intricate melodies and verses. Unfortunately, this music was never published. It was during this time that Allan returned to live in Live Oak. Allan gave back to his community through volunteer service as a member and president of the Live Oak Kiwanis Club, as the piano technician for the California Prune Festival, as a sound and lighting technician for the Sutter Buttes Regional Theatre and for Theater '86 (that later became The Acting Company), and through being available for those needing a helping hand. Later in his adult life, while still working as a piano technician, Allan returned to his roots driving tractor for farmers who appreciated his care and knowledge of their equipment. Allan is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Alice Dewey and nephew Martin Theiss. He is survived by his brother Martin, sister Janet Theiss (Bill), brother Bruce (Julie), two nieces, Elyse Verstelle (Steven) and Michelle Dewey, and his nephew John Dewey. A service celebrating his life and faith will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road in Yuba City, California on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 11:00 am. The service will be streamed live, and for information regarding streaming you may send an email to a.d.stream@syix.com prior to October 6, 2022. As a lasting tribute to Allan's life, donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his memory to the Live Oak Volunteer Fire Fighters Association at 2745 Fir Street, Live Oak CA 95953; to the Lion's Eye Foundation C/O Live Oak Lion's Club, P O Box 325, Live Oak CA 95953; or to the charity of your choice. Allan's love of music, enthusiasm for a good joke, and enjoyment and memory of the history of Live Oak will be missed.