Jimmy Dale Allen

"Love Never Fails"

I Corinthians 13:8

Jimmy Dale Allen, age 74, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at his residence in Lake Charles.

Born July 27, 1936, he was a native of DeQuincy where he graduated from high school. He attended McNeese State University receiving a B.S. Degree in 1960 and an M.S. Degree in 1969 in education. While at McNeese, he was a member of the 1958 track team, the only team from MSU to win a conference championship. He won the gold medal in 1958 and 1959 for pole vaulting. He served in the Army in the 7th Cavalry at Fort Benning, GA and was Honor Graduate out of 200 in his Airborne class. He served eight years in the Army Reserves and earned the rank of Captain.

Jimmy and his wife owned and operated several food service businesses in the Southwest Louisiana area; he was the consummate entrepreneur. In 1973, he went to work for The Missouri Pacific Railroad (now the Union Pacific) as an engineer, retiring in 2004. He treated the young men who worked with him with respect and humor.

Jimmy was a generous, giving person and approached life with an irreverent sense of humor. He was an avid golfer, playing several times a week with his high school buddies Tommy and Bill Partin, and his son, J.D. (Dale). His son-in-law James took him on great fishing trips. Preceding him in death was a much-loved grandson, Logan Benham, his parents, James Delmas and Elizabeth Freeman Allen, his Aunt Loucille Allen Cabaniss, his brother-in-law Harvey Brown and nephew Rickey.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 511/2 years, Patricia Denton Allen of Lake Charles (in August 1958 after dating Pat three weeks, he gave her an engagement ring); his three children, J.D. "Dale" Allen and wife Amy, Suze' Allen Latour and husband James, all of Lake Charles; and Jennifer Allen of Woodlawn; a sister, Betty Lou Brown and her four children of DeQuincy; five grandchildren, James David Allen, Jonathan Allen, Lauren Benham, Victoria Allen, Clay Matte; and two great-grandchildren, Keilee and Davyn.

His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 20, 2010, at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Rev. David DeWitt will officiate. Visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home beginning on Thursday, August 19, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and will resume on Friday, August 20, from 8 a.m. until time of service. Per his wishes, Mr. Allen was cremated.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.