For The Love of The Land:
The Story of a Legendary Armco Park Patron
Brandy York
The Ashland Beacon
Who was Ray Allen and why is his name on a park bench? Armco Park has been a staple in our community for many years. A place for picnics, hikes, a round of disc golf, and for some like Ray Allen, a place of rest. A place to reflect and connect with nature.
Ray Allen was born and raised in Boyd County, Kentucky, one of fourteen children. As the son of a carpenter, he learned the meaning of hard work and service to others at a young age, helping his father on the job site at the tender age of five. His daughter Angela (Angie) Rucker spoke of how her father would tell stories of helping his father by carrying shingles onto roofs as a young boy.
Ray’s life wasn’t all work and no play; as time went on and he grew older, he learned that he was talented in basketball as well. He played the position of guard on the Boyd County Lions basketball team in high school and was even offered a scholarship to continue playing basketball at the University of Rio Grande; however, Mr. Allen was quick to decline and chose to join the workforce and marry the love of his life, Shirley, instead.
Soon after marriage came the babies, beginning with Angie, followed by a son named Tony. Ray and Shirley continued to build a beautiful life together, all while remaining in his home area of Boyd County. He carried on his father’s legacy by working in the carpenter shop at Armco during the day, and using his carpentry skills in the evenings to construct many homes across the county that are still standing strong to this day. Despite a full work schedule and a young family at home, Ray still found time to serve his community and his church in various ways. He did not let his athletic skills gather dust; he used them as a baseball coach at Boyd County as well as an umpire for the sport, and a referee for basketball games.
As a member of the First Baptist Church of Russell, he was active in many ministries such as hospital visitation, the building committee, the “Baptist Builders” and “Fix It” ministries (helping those in need with home repairs) and sang praises to his Lord and Savior as a member of the “older adult choir.” Angie spoke of her father and his roles in the church with pride, recalling her time co-teaching a fifth grade Sunday school class at FBCR alongside him. Angie smiled saying “Dad shared the Gospel any chance he had and would give to anyone in need.” He served in his neighborhood by buying a mower with a snowplow so he could cut his neighbors’ lawns in the summer and clear their driveways in the winter. Ray not only had a huge heart for humankind but for animals too, using his carpentry skills to build dog houses for Ashland Animal Rescue Fund, as well as coffins for those beloved animals when their time had come to an end.
Now that we know who Ray Allen was, we will move on to the second half the question- why is his name on a bench at Armco Park?
“Dad used to walk to and from school through the woods of Armco Park and played there growing up,” said Angie, as she reminisced of his lifelong love of the land. Given his fond memories of the property, it was no surprise that he spent every morning of his retired years at Armco Park, admiring the wildlife and feeding his furry friends. Angie laughed of how the squirrels seemed to know him and would come running when he sat down; something that they have continued to do with her occasionally when she has visited his old spot. He didn’t leave out the birds in the passing of snacks (particularly the blue birds, with their own boxes), and even kept an eye on the stray cats and would treat them as well. His love for God’s creation was clear in his love for the park.
He later acquired the title of “mayor” of Armco Park and was loved by the park crew as one of their own. He made friends in fellow park patrons and they admired the wildlife together. Sadly, as Ray’s health began to decline, his visits to the park became a memory rather than a routine. “He would park there every day and feed his birds and squirrels, up until he could no longer drive due to his lung disease,” said Angie.
Ray Allen left this world on July 12, 2022, with his loving family by his side, leaving a lasting impression not only on his family and friends but on the Boyd County officials as well. On Oct. 4, 2022, the Boyd County parks department placed a bench in the very spot where Ray used to park his truck, accompanied by his little dog, and visit his woodland friends until he could no longer do so. Displayed on the bench is a gold plaque that reads:
In Memory of Ray Allen
Long Time Park Patron
1943-2022
Next to the bench on a tree is a blue bird feeder, bearing the name “Bluebird Saloon,” complete with three tiny stools where birds can stand and feast. This spot serves as a beautiful reminder of an honorable man who cherished and served God, his family, his community, and the piece Boyd County woodland known as Armco Park.
