Allen Orvin "Chico" De Windt

On December 10, 2020, Allen Orvin “Chico” De Windt, Sr. fell asleep in death peacefully at his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He was 98.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Orford, Clarence and Mario. He was followed in death by his baby brother, Warren on December 21, 2020.  Allen is survived by his wife of nearly 74 years, Violet; his sons Allen Orvin (Sharon) De Windt, Jr. and Owen Dexter De Windt, Sr. and his daughter Diane De Windt-Hall (Marcelleus Hall).  He is further survived by his grandchildren: Jaunette Marcelle De Windt, Allen Orvin (Marisa Hernandez-De Windt) De Windt III;  Owen Dexter De Windt, Jr.,  Brian Amory (Brittany) De Windt, Sr., Justin Terrell De Windt, Carlton De Windt, Devin De Windt, Kathryn Marceille Hall; Kariah Diane Hall and Jordan De Windt Hall; his great-grandchildren, Elias Gabriel Hernandez De Windt; Allen Orvin De Windt IV; Armando Hernandez  De Windt, Brian Amory De Windt, Jr. and Brielle Vivian De Windt;  his sisters Viola Joseph and Olive Domingo and special daughter-in-law Brenda De Windt; as well as a host of much loved nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and neighbors.

Born on February 16, 1922 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Henrique Rudolph De Windt and Othelia Francell De Windt (nee (Rhymer).   Allen was the fourth of seven (7) children. He received his primary school education in the public school system. While living on St. Thomas, he was a diver for the Navy as well as a jockey.  It was there that he developed his love of fishing and golfing.

In 1944, Allen joined the military—U.S. Army.  He started his very colorful military career in the state of Louisiana. He served in Washington State and the islands of Hawaii, achieving the rank of Sergeant, before being honorably discharged in 1946.

Allen met the love of his life Violet (nee Henley) just prior to leaving for the military.    He often told the story of how they met and how she and his mother were waiting for him when he returned from the military.  Allen and Violet married December 20, 1946. To that union were born three children, Allen Jr., Owen and Diane.  Allen moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1947 to attend college at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. There he received his Associates Degree in Electrical Power Technology in 1949.  He went on to work for A. O. Smith, a major manufacturer of automobile frames, until his retirement in 1988.

In 1959, Allen, affectionately known as “Chico,” along with his friends Willie Seals, Jr., Loren Mudd, Clarence “Tosh” Griffin and Tommy Patterson, founded the first black golf club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin called “The Family.”  As new members joined and the club grew, they changed the name to “The Sunday Bunch.”  As they grew older, they became known as “The Olde Tymers.”  Chico will be remembered fondly and with great respect by his Golfing Crew family.  

His neighbors referred to him as “The Mayor of N. 41st Street.”  They appreciated his kindness, sense of humor and his willingness to pitch in and help out whenever and however he could.

Allen was what you would call “a renaissance man.”  His interests were varied.  He enjoyed crossword puzzles (doing them in ink!), poetry, boxing, golf, gardening, tinkering and all types of gadgets.  He was the king of figuring out how things work.  Gardening allowed him to relax and reflect on Jehovah’s creation.  He worked and shared the bounties of his garden with friends and neighbors.  He planted his last garden just this past summer. Those who knew Chico knew that fishing was his favorite pastime.  He loved to have fish frys and share his catch with his family.  He would jump at the opportunity to go fishing any chance he had.  He went on his last fishing trip this past August.

He will be missed by all.

The family of Allen Orvin “Chico” De Windt, Sr. wishes to extend their gratitude, love and appreciation for all the expressions of sympathy, love, comfort and prayers extended to us during their time of grief.  May the God of all comfort, Jehovah, continue to comfort us all—2 Corinthians 1:3,4.

Join us for Allen’s Memorial Service via Zoom on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 3 p.m. CST

Allen “Chico” De Windt Memorial Service

Time: Jan 2, 2021 03:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Virtual visit starts at 2:30 PM

Please click here to view Chico's Service

Meeting ID: 816 9316 5327

Passcode: 709778

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Meeting ID: 816 9316 5327

Passcode: 709778

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