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On Saturday, Sept 11, 2021, a day known for tragedy and loss of heroes, the Archey Family lost their Father, their Dad, their Papa, their Hero. Allan Ray Archey, “Archey or Arch” to those closest to him, felt the full gravity of death less than 5 hours before his 83rd birthday. He fought hard but sadly lost his life after sustaining injuries from an auto accident that occurred on August 20th. He was born in Gary, Indiana on September 12, 1938 to Percy Eugene and Madge Archey. When he was 6, his father moved the family to Alva, Florida on Telegraph Creek where he attended school until he graduated but moreover, learned how to hunt, how to fish and how to swim well enough that his father once told him “Son, you swim so well the Navy will one day make a Frogman out of you.” After graduation, he worked odd jobs close to home until he was drafted into the Navy. While serving, he was an electrician’s mate and went on to volunteer for the Navy’s specialized Underwater Demolition Teams also known as Frogmen. After successfully completing UDT Training with Class 30 East Coast, he proudly joined Underwater Demolition Team 22 of Little Creek, VA where one of his most notable missions with his brothers was to jump from a helicopter to rescue the Gemini II Space Capsule. After serving his country honorably, he left the adventure of the Navy and the teams to attend college and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Agriculture Economics. He exercised his love and passion for Agriculture at home by “raising” pigs, cattle, and crops on his small homestead outside of Starke, FL. He continued his commitment to our country by working as a Civil Service Fireman and Paramedic at Cecil Field Naval Airstation in Jacksonville, Florida. A diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease in the early 90’s forced an early retirement from the fire service. His remaining years were spent hobby farming, raising his cows and enjoying his family and visits from his grandchildren. He is survived by Judy Archey; daughter, Allison (Jim) Hardy of Wisconsin; daughter, Hope (Kyle) Worley of Oklahoma; and son, Clay (Erin) Archey of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents Percy and Madge Archey; brother, Brian Archey; sister, Leah Townsend; sister, Marla Greene; and brother, Paul Archey. A Memorial Service is planned for November 7, 2021 at a sunrise service on the beach at the UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. To honor his memory, donations can be made to the Allan Archey Warriors in Agriculture Scholarship at the University of Florida, or to the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, 3300 N HWY A1A, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace 1 Peter 4:10

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Allan Ray Archey

September 12, 1938 - September 11, 2021