Jay "Pappy" Dee Allen

For many, Jay Dee “Pappy” Allen, Sr. occupied two contradictory spaces in our hearts and minds - as a person both familiar and larger-than-life. His love of people - especially little ones - and his desire to be surrounded by them made him accessible, easy to connect to, and within our reach. At the same time, the gravity of his sacrifices and his courage to thrive in spite of many challenges in his life - the Great Depression, World War II, the death of his wife Bobbie, to name a few - elevate him to almost immortal status, more of a Texas legend than a human being. Alas, his passing on Father’s Day, June 18th, 2017, proved him mortal, though his life and legacy will live on through those that he touched and for generations yet to come.

Jay Dee Allen was born on January 9, 1922 in Ft. Worth, Texas, son of Jessie David Allen and Pearl Robason Allen. He spent his youth in Eastland, May and Roby, Texas, graduating from Roby High School in 1939. He continued his education thereafter, attending North Texas Agriculture College (currently known as the University of Texas at Arlington), where he participated in ROTC - then a requirement for all male students.

In 1942, Jay joined the United States Army, and in 1943 entered the US Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Training Program. In 1944, he graduated as Pilot and Second Lieutenant, later graduating from an extensive training program as a B-17 Pilot & Crew Commander. That same year, he was assigned to the 94th Bomb Group, 332nd Squadron in Bury St. Edmond, England. Throughout his military service, he completed 35 combat bombing missions as B-17 pilot throughout the European Theater of Operations, including missions over Germany and two secret missions over France to drop supplies to the French Underground. His heroics over France earned him the Legion of Honor Medal from the French government. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and was able to bring himself and his entire crew of eight back home safely. In 1945, he was assigned to the Ferry Command and in 1946, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army Air Corps.

By this point, Jay had married Bobbie Wilkins in Abilene, Texas, in 1944, a marriage that would last until Bobbie’s passing in 1999. The marriage produced three sons - Jay Dee Allen, Jr., Robert David Allen, and Jimmy Hal Allen.

After opening a bakery in Gatesville, Texas, and working for the Santa Fe Railroad in Temple, Texas, Jay moved on to the Western Company of North America in Ft. Worth, where he worked from 1947-1965, holding various positions in Texas, New Mexico, and West Virginia. Beginning as an Equipment Operator, he was promoted to Service Engineer, District Manager, and ultimately, Regional Manager.

From 1965 to 1968, Jay co-owned, managed and developed 6,400 acres of irrigated farmland for XIT Farms, Inc., in Dalhart, Texas in the Texas Panhandle. He was responsible for converting virgin ranch land into one of the largest, privately owned and irrigated farming operations in the country. As General Manager, he directly supervised over 27 personnel involved in all aspects of the operation ranging from equipment maintenance, planting, harvesting, product sales, finance, and planning and development activities.

After his time on the ranch, Jay and his family relocated to Canyon, Texas where he began a long stint with the Amarillo Gear Company, where he worked from 1968 to 1987, when he retired as the General Sales Manager. Reporting directly to the President, he was responsible for both international and domestic sales for the various company products.

Beyond his work, Jay enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was an avid and accomplished (often experimental) gardener, typically opting to share his harvest with friends and neighbors than to keep it for himself. His gardening was one way he connected to a larger community, another being his faith. Jay and Bobbie attended First Presbyterian Church from the time they were married and he served in various leadership positions within the Church regardless of where they lived. Upon relocating to Georgetown, Texas, in 1988, they became members of the First Presbyterian Church. Jay later joined the Hill Country Bible Church in 2006, where in 2009 he was re-baptized. From 2012 to his death, Jay was an active and proud member of the First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, Texas.

Jay demonstrated characteristics throughout his life that will be remembered by those that survived him, amongst them his courage, honesty, and fairness. He was incredibly proud of the family he left behind, including his three sons and their families: Jay Dee, Jr. and wife Julie and their daughter Amy Oswalt and husband Chase; Robert and wife Bridget, and their son Hunter; and Jimmy and wife Susan and their sons Sterling and wife Kathryn, and Cameron and wife Yvonne. Much to Jay’s delight, there have been 5 great-grandchildren added to his family: Charlie and Will Oswalt; Emma and Jonas Allen; and Truett Allen.

To those lucky enough to know him, Jay “Pappy” Allen was a warm, welcoming, and very funny person, a wonderful storyteller, a de facto Texas almanac and genealogist, and a person endlessly interested - if sometimes critical - about the world around him. While his courage in the face of danger rivals anyone’s, what will perhaps immortalize him is his ability to adapt to new situations. Throughout his 95 years, he was able to establish and maintain a strong moral character, yet he wasn’t afraid to think about things in different and contemporary ways. In the end, it is precisely his adaptability that made him seem current, everlasting, elemental - a constant presence in our lives regardless of physical proximity. Proved mortal though he was, his legacy will continue to inspire the three generations to whom he served as patriarch and many, many thereafter.

It was an honor to know him, to grow with him, and to bask in his warmth and kindness. It was an honor to love him and be loved by him in return, something we could all count on.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown with Dr. Michael A. Roberts officiating. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

Private Graveside Services were held on June 27, 2017 as Mr. Allen was interred in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Georgetown next to his wife of 55 years, Bobbie Wilkins Allen.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.