Francis Arnold Allen

Francis Arnold Allen M.D., age 82, of Austin, formerly of Midland, passed away October 5, 2007. Dr. Allen was born July 28, 1925 in San Juan, Texas. His parents, George and Agnes Allen, two brothers Sonny and Mickey Allen preceded him in death. Arnold enlisted in the US Navy in 1945, became a Naval Aviator and served until 1947 at which time he was honorably discharged. Arnold graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and continued his education at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas where he met and married Elizabeth Thomas. Dr. Allen continued his education with an internship at Covington, Kentucky and returned to the Rio Grande Valley and practiced general medicine for five years. He then returned to school to specialize in pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital in Dallas. After his residency in Dallas, Arnold moved his family to Midland in 1961 to practice pediatrics for thirty-five years. Dr Allen had the privilege of treating up to three generations of families. After retiring in 1994 at Vanderpool, Texas in the Hill Country, Arnold and Betty continued their involvement in medicine with the Locum Tenens program. This program enabled them to combine their love of medicine and travel. The Allens then moved to Austin in 1999. Arnold and Betty’s love of children lead them to involvement in the foster children program. Retirement allowed Arnold to focus on his love of gardening, cooking, travel and birding. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Betty; five children, Debby Walthall and husband Bill, Sharon Gray, Mark Allen and wife Nessia, Kevin Allen and wife Julie, Erin Bilski and husband Jerry; eleven grandchildren, Eric, Rachel, Jill, Megan, Matthew, Savannah, Raleigh, Kyle, Haley, Austin and Jack. A great-grandson, Jonah Francis, will join the family in January of 2008. Arnold is also survived by a sister, Marlene Parker and many other family members. Rosary will be recited at 4:00 pm Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Memorial Mass will be said at 1:00 pm Monday, October 8, 2007 at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway, Texas. It is requested that memorial contributions be made to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 2120