It has been said that when a person dies they will be judged on how they lived their dash.

I attended a funeral on Tuesday for a friend of mine. The obituary read: Allen P. Wempren, 11/14/1939 – 7/17/2015.

How Allen lived his dash, the period between his birth and his death, is how he will be judged by His creator and remembered by all who knew him.

Allen was born in LaPlace to a humble, hardworking family. He developed polio at the age of 7 that affected his left leg.

Most young boys would have accepted that as a disability, but not Allen.

As a youth he hunted, fished and played baseball and football. He attended Reserve High School (LGHS), which was always noted for having very good football teams, but had never won a state championship.

In 1958, Allen changed that by being instrumental as a defensive end on the only state championship team in the school’s history.

No, he didn’t get the publicity that some of the players did, but without a doubt, his spirit and work ethic of always giving 100 percent in practice and in every game inspired everyone.

He also lettered in track and field and held the state record for a few years in the javelin competition.

After graduation he attended Delgado Trade School and learned his trade as a machinist.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Darlene, and their three children, Allen Wempren Jr.,  Sherry Hubbard (Bill) and Dena Wempren.

He was grandfather to seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Allen retired from Marathon after 25 years.

I often say that I don’t know many real people. As I was extending my sympathy to the family prior to the service, I told Sherry her dad was a good man.

She responded that he was real. I had the privilege of knowing Allen most of his life. I never heard anyone say anything negative about him.

He was a faithful husband, good dad and a good grandparent.

He was real.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.