James "Jw" Allen

James (J.W.) William Allen, was born in Columbia, South Carolina on December 3, 1943, son of the late Lloyd Allen and Mary Francis Spradley Allen and preceded in death by the love of his life Edna (Nena) Mercedes van der Dys Allen. J.W. passed away January 1, 2016 in Bimini, Bahama aboard his fishing boat “La Nena”.

J.W. had a sterling military career serving in the 82nd Airborne as an Army Ranger. He was an honored and decorated combat officer serving two tours in Vietnam, and earning battle field promotions including three bronze stars, two purple hearts and acceptance into Officer Candidate School.

After leaving the army he joined a well service company in Graham, Tx and later worked in Iran. While in Iran he joined Reading & Bates drilling company and rotated out of Malta. Leaving R&B, he joined Santa Fe Drilling in Iran and was subsequently transferred to Venezuela where he met the "love of his life" Edna V Allen.

He stayed with Santa Fe drilling in various managerial capacities in Venezuela until joining Blocker Drilling Co in Venezuela in 1984 as Country Manager. They moved to Bogota, Colombia in '85 and subsequently managed all Latin America Operations for Blocker in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Argentina until moving to Houston in late '85 or early '86 as VP Latin American Operations.

J.W. later went back into the drilling business owning 3 drilling rigs with John Blocker, Jr. and subsequently sold all the assets in 1991. He later formed Entrada International, a consulting company, to help US based companies go "International" with John Blocker, John Blocker, Jr. and two former Blocker employees. Through Entrada he began consulting for Pride Petroleum Services and was later hired by Pride as VP International in 1993. Pride subsequently acquired 50% of the only workover rig division of Dresser Atlas which operated rigs in Argentina along with Jorge Estrada which became their first of many International acquisitions.

In the following years he helped move Pride Petroleum Services from a purely USA based workover & well services company to a world class international drilling, workover and services business with both onshore and offshore assets, including "state of the art" new built deep water drill ships and floaters.

J.W. assumed the role of Executive VP and later EVP-COO of Pride International with Operations in 23 countries with over 14,000 employees and revenues in excess of $2 billion dollars per year prior to retiring in 2004.

J.W. loved entertaining family and friends. He was a devoted husband, brother, uncle and friend. J.W.’s enthusiasm for life was contagious. Always the perfect host, he loved to entertain. We will all cherish the memories of J.W. inviting us over to “burn some meat”. J.W. was a passionate outdoorsmen, setting records and winning tournaments for fishing and hunting alike.

J.W. is survived by his sister, Donna Rodarte, her son Ronnie Rodarte, brother Richard (Dick) Allen, and his wife Bonnie Allen, their children Tiffany and James. He is preceded in death by his sister Geneva Goodwin. Along with many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law Wanda Power and husband, Tom Power, brother-in-law Richard van der Dys Sr., nephew Greg Power and his wife Carol, their children Paul and Analise, nephew Otto van der Dys III and his wife Stephanie and their children Erika and Alex, nephew Frank Power and his children, Blake, Randa Martinez, Erica Smith, niece Brenda van der Dys, nephew Richard van der Dys Jr. and his children Richard van der Dys III and Allysandra van der Dys, niece Miriam ( Marcy ) Luciani and her children Stacey and Michael, nephew Andres van der Dys and wife Sophia and their children Tristan and Alexia, niece Mary Alice van der Dys and her children, and Christine Johnson and Julie Allen.

J.W. will be remembered by family and friends all over the world.

J.W. forever in our thoughts, with much love FISH ON !

Pallbearers: Greg Power, Richard van der Dys, Frank Power, Otto van der Dys, Paco Prada, Richie Clawges

Honorary Pallbearers: John Blocker, Bennett Blocker, David Bourgeois, Gary Caswell, David Cowan, Curtis Denison, Ray LeLoup, Tom Seeliger, Mike Terry, Warren Hendricks, Buddy Hutchins, Chris Johnston, and countless others all over the world.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston and Houston. 815 Market St., Galveston, TX 77550-2725

Visitation will be on Tuesday January 12, 2016, 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral will be on Wednesday January 13, 2016 at 12:30 PM. Memorial Oaks Funeral Home 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77079.