MILTON Residents are mourning and memorializing a 25-year-old Milton man who died after authorities say he drowned while snorkeling in a lake in Iowa County last weekend.
Iowa County officials say Jordan Allen, died Sept. 12 after at Cox Hollow Beach at Governor Dodge State Park near Dodgeville, after he went underwater at Cox Hollow Lake.
According to his obituary, Jordan Dakota Rain Jordy Allen was a cowboy-hat wearing, fun-loving man who loved to sing, dress up as Santa Claus, and who was devoted to his family, which includes five siblings.
The Iowa County sheriffs office said Allen died despite immediate rescue efforts his family, who was on site at the beach Governor Dodge park at the time of his drowning. The sheriffs office said in an announcement that family and bystanders immediately tried to help Allen, as first responders arrived, but those providing aid could not resuscitate the man.
The Iowa County Coroners Office pronounced Allen dead at the scene, the sheriffs office said.
Medics transported two others described as bystanders at the scene, who required medical attention at a hospital for reasons the sheriffs office has not disclosed.
Allens obituary describes him as a man who loved fishing, puzzles, games, and a good party, especially if it allowed him a chance to don a cowboy hat and sing country music by his favorite performer, Alan Jackson.
Allen was fond of visiting family members, and he always let them know he was coming with a text message hed sign in a signature way, writing Its Jordan Allen every time, so his family could be sure it was him.
In a memorial posted to a local funeral home website, Allens father wrote a message that said We will fish again, I promise, buddy.
Alongside his fondness for family, Allen was a collector of belt buckles and Wizard of Oz memorabilia.
Allen was a 2019 Milton High School graduate. Hed just recently begun work at Kandu Industries in Milton.
Allens family says in the obituary that Allen loved to wear hats and dress up, especially at Christmas his favorite holiday. That was when he best showed off a side of his personality that his family said was meticulously fun.
He was passionate about dressing up in his Santa suit, which had to be just right with all his accessories, and handing out gifts, his obituary reads.
The obituary describe Allen as having an amazing smile and a kind and caring nature that quickly turned acquaintances to longstanding friends.
Allen is described as a son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend.
His services are Sept. 27 at Schneider funeral home in Janesville.