Allen Baxter Tolley

January 30, 1943 ~ March 7, 2019 Allen Baxter Tolley, longtime Worland resident, passed away March 7, 2019 in Billings, Montana, suddenly and unexpectedly. Allen was born on January 30, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri to James Arthur and Helen Laura (Austin) Tolley. Jim and Helen were blessed with a daughter five years later, Allen's little sister, Charlynne. Allen was raised and schooled in California. Allen lived a rich and happy childhood. Due to his dad's career, the family traveled with him occasionally. At one point the family lived in Puerto Rico for several months. As Allen got older, he began surfing with his best friends. They would chase the 'good waves' whenever they had spare time. One of his best days in high school was when he got his first car. That made chasing the 'good waves' much easier. That first car began a life-long love affair with cars, classic cars, muscle cars, anything Mopar. For peace and relaxation, Allen would go to the garage and re-build a carburetor. He graduated from high school in California in 1961, though he attended 6th grade at Northside School in Worland. He later joined the LA County Law Enforcement Academy. Upon graduation from the academy, Allen began his life-long career in law enforcement in Hermosa Beach, California. In 1977, Allen married Rhonda Leonard. They had three children. The couple later divorced. Wanting to leave California, and having spent time in Worland as a child visiting his grandparents, Allen knew this was where he wanted to be. He joined the Worland Police Department in 1978 and after several years he moved up through the ranks to eventually be appointed Chief of Police. When he retired as Chief of Police, he joined the Washakie County Sheriff's Department where he attained the rank of Undersheriff. He was working as a Sargent when he retired from the WCSO. After a short period of time, Allen realized retirement wasn't for him which prompted him to take the position of Director of Homeland Security in the Worland office. After serving in that position for about a year, he was drawn back to law enforcement. He returned to work for the WPD as the Ordinance Officer. Following that retirement, he drove a transport Van for the Senior Center, enabling local seniors to get out for shopping, Dr. appointments, attending meals and events at the Center and attending church on Sunday. He also assisted with the Meals on Wheels program. He lived a life of service, spending most of it in law enforcement. Along the way he became certified in the D.A.R.E. Program for children and serving his final years on the Board of Directors for the Worland Fire Department. Allen was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Adam Archer and several Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his children, Laura Tolley, Dawn, Tolley and Richard James Tolley; grandchildren, Sebastian LaCourse, Aiden Archer, Boone, Willa, Noah Baxter Tolley and Hellen Laura Sue Tolley. Survivors also include his sister, Charlynne Tolley and her daughter, Lisa of California and his forever love, Marianne Moore and her children, his Aunt Pauline Austin, his very beloved kitty, Bella and a host of dear friends too numerous to list. Even in death Allen was a very generous and caring man as he was an organ donor and has helped save the lives of people he never met on this earth. Memorial Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 14 at the Worland Community Center Complex. Memorial donations may be made to the Worland Senior Center "Meals on Wheels" or New Hope Humane Society in care of Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.