Allan Claude House

Allan Claude House, loving husband and devoted friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on July 28, 2012.

Allan, 57, was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he attended Fourth Ward Elementary School. He graduated from Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia in 1972. Allan next attended LSU, where he studied architecture. Between semesters he worked in Lake Charles, Louisiana for Dunn, Quinn, Gallaugher and Quinn, Architects and Engineers. He also worked with General Contractors in Baton Rouge.

In 1977 Allan returned to Lake Charles to work with his father as an oil, gas, and mineral lease broker. After several years, he embraced his first passion, building and remodeling. Later he started Allan House Construction where he devoted the remainder of his professional career. Allan enjoyed working with homeowners, where he made their visions come to life. His hobbies included fishing, especially with his friend Terry Shaughnessy; cooking with his wife Kay; working in his yard; and shoe shopping with his sisters'-in-law Ginger and Susan. Known as the "mad texter", Allan appreciated and embraced "social networking." Allan will be best remembered for his strong work ethic, wry sense of humor and love of family. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Allan enjoyed volunteering in the community. He was on the Board of Directors of Coastal Conservation Association, worked as Technical Director of the Lake Charles Ballet Society as well as working with the ACTS Theater.

Allan is survived by his loving wife of thirty one years, Kay Beatty House; brother Kerry Arthur House and wife Caterina; sisters'-in-law, Ginger Beatty Karcher and husband Mark, Susan Beatty McElveen and husband, Wayne "Mac"; nephew, John Louis Karcher and his "2nd mom", Mary Edna Joseph. He is also survived by his beloved cats, Miss Bea, Little Bit, and L'Orange.

Allan is preceded in death by his parents, Allan Floyd House and Ginger Ruth Perkins House.

Honorary pallbearers will include Robert Brittain, Henry Chol, John Louis Karcher, Lonnie McGee, Scott Pugh, David Ryan and John Roberts Stewart.

His memorial service will be at 12:00 pm, Tuesday July 31, 2012 in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, officiated by his dear friend Fr. Jack Myers. Visitation will be Monday, July 30, 2012, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Hartdner Hall at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601; M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, www.mdanderson.org or Hobo Hotel, P.O. Box 810, Lake Charles, LA 70602.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation for the loving care Allan received from Amedisys Hospice and the medical staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.