Roll Call Tribute

Published in (San Antonio) Express-News on June 28, 2011

James Allen
ALLEN
James Hiram Allen was born in 1923 in Jourdanton, Texas to John Hiram Allen and Tina McAda Allen. He graduated from Jourdanton High School and in 1940 went to A&M College at College Station, Texas where he was a member of the ROTC. After WWII was declared, his class of '44 in their senior year was inducted into the army. He was sent to Armored Forces OCS at Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he was graduated as Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 93rd Cavalry, 13th Armored Division. Later he was promoted to First Lieutenant and served in the Reconnaissance (RCN) Squadron. He served in combat in France and Germany before returning home at the end of the War. His Class of '44 was graduated at that time and he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. He later returned to A&M College and acquired a Master of Science degree in Animal Science in 1965.

Jim's first job after graduation was as ranch manager for the Tom Slick ESSAR Ranch, current location of the Southwest Research Institute. Then he managed the B.F. Fooks Angus Farms in Camden, Arkansas, followed by working for the Slick-Moorman Land and Cattle Company in Fitler, Mississippi. Following the death of Tom Slick in 1968 he went into the private ranching business and was successful in that field. After obtaining his Master's Degree from A& M College in 1965, he then worked for Doane Agricultural Service and later became a consultant for the Doane Agricultural Service. He moved to San Antonio in 1975 and became Vice President of the Agri-Business Department at the National Bank of Commerce where he remained until his retirement in 1988.

In Brady, Jim was a faithful member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church and served not only in the church but in community organizations as well. In San Antonio, he was a member of Christ's Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife of twenty-one years, Mary Jane Allen; son, John Raymond Allen; sister, Virginia Allen Shotts; step-son, Scott R. Guthrie. He is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Bette Jo Allen; son, Dr. James H. Allen, Jr. and wife, Liz; daughters, Dr. Christine Moseley and husband, Mark; Nancy Sarson and husband, Tom; Carol Ann Colwell and husband, Brent; grandchildren, Matthew Moseley, William Moseley, Allison Allen, James Brady Allen, Michael Sarson, Katie Sarson; step-children, James S. Guthrie and wife, Judy and Paul R. Guthrie and wife, Lisa.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a greatly respected member of his family and of the community. He will be remembered as a thoroughly decent man in all aspects of life.

Gravesite services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 30 at Resthaven Cemetery in Brady, Texas. Leatherwood Funeral Home in Brady is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will occur Wednesday evening, June 29 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Brady.

[Date of death was June 26, 2011, per funeral home.]