James "Jimmy" Warren Allen

James “Jimmy” Warren Allen, age 34, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Keene, NH of an accidental overdose after a long, brave battle with addiction. Jimmy was born on December 8, 1989, in Keene, son of Thomas Allen and Diana Sommer. He grew up in Spofford NH, Casselberry, Florida, and Keene, NH.

Everyone who knew Jimmy describes him as full of life, always a smile on his face, the best hugger, and a loving father to his son Trenton. Jimmy wanted to live as shown through his constant contact with family and friends. He reached out to his friends just before he died and had plans to get together with them.

He hid his addiction well and always lit up a room with his sense of humor and oh, that smile! He never would have wanted his family to feel this depth of grief.

Jimmy attended Chesterfield School before he moved to Florida where he and his family lived for a few years. He made friends so easily and loved his new neighbors and new school. During this time, he played soccer, basketball, and baseball, loved riding his bike around the cul-de-sac, swimming in his pool, always with his sister Jessica, his first and best friend, by his side. Living so close to Orlando added to those years. Amusement parks filled many days. He loved roller coasters, especially with his dad. He was so proud when he was named champion of the Seminole County Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.

Once back in Chesterfield, he graduated from Chesterfield School where he played basketball, soccer, and baseball and his favorite, Pop Warner Football. He went to horse camp with his sister, Jessica, and had many adventures throughout those years. Chesterfield School was a special time. He loved Nature’s Classroom, Mr. Mahoney, his teachers, and the lifelong friends he made along the way. A road trip with his mom included visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame (yes, he was a huge Yankee’s fan and had a tattoo across his back proclaiming his loyalty to the team.) New York City, especially Battery Park, were happy places for Jimmy.

The birth of his niece, Jacqueline Jane Campbell, brought him joy beyond belief. He took on the role of her protector and confident and shared his friends with her as she tagged along.

Jimmy attended Keene High School and played one year of basketball and then made football his sport. His teachers spoke highly of him and acknowledged his love of writing, including poetry. He was a hard worker, a respectful student and a friend to all. After graduation, he attended New Hampshire Technical College in Concord where he studied criminal justice and wanted to someday be a police officer. He also wanted to be a clown so we were never sure how he would pull that one off. He lived in different apartments with “the guys” but will always remember Sheridan Avenue as his favorite. He played for the Marauders Football team until his knee just couldn’t do it anymore.

Every summer Jimmy and his family could be found on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH at his grandparents’ summerhouse. He and his cousins, and Campbell nieces and nephew had magical summers, spending the days on the beach, but on rainy days watching movies together. He loved Chris Farley and could recite every word to Tommy Boy. Getting back to the lake every summer was his goal just to see if his Uncle Tommy could drive the boat crazy enough to flip him off the tube. Fourth of July with family and fireworks brought him much joy.

Family gatherings, holidays, trips to Hampton Beach with his brother Ryan, building Legos, celebrating his birthday with much fanfare, spending time with his son Trenton, cementing his belief in God when attending church with Nicole and with his dad, searching for new adventures, and seeking peace are memories to be cherished.

After his first two rehabs, he saved many lives as he delivered friends to rehab, talked to them throughout the night, and encouraged them to fight for their lives. He lost countless friends to overdose and mourned the passing of each one, often being the one who grieved with their families. Jimmy’s last rehab was a month ago and he was waiting for a spot in a sober living house, but never made it.

Never stop looking for the signs that Jimmy is still with us. A blooming flower, a special song, a funny coincidence, the butterfly that lands on your shoulder, a question on Family Feud, or a gift that arrived for his mom the day he died.

Jimmy leaves behind a large, loving family who will always hold him in their hearts: his parents, Thomas Warren Allen (Linda) of Acworth NH and Diana Kinsey Sommer of Keene; his son, Trenton James Allen of Tyrone, Georgia and TJ’s mother Nicole McKeague also of Tyrone; his siblings, Ryan Thomas Allen of Keene, Wendi Allen Campbell (Rob) of Keene, Jessica Susan Allen (Josh) of Stoddard and Jennifer Bowers (Greg) of Stoddard; his aunts and uncles, Walter Allen, Katy Vincent (Peter), Susan Sommer Ballou (Matt), Randy Sommer (Paula), Tom Sommer (Lynda); cousins, Matt, Brian, Kate, Emilie, Lori, Alison, and Shannon; his nieces and nephews, Caitlin, Chelsey, Nathan, Jacqueline, Bailey, Emma, Brooke, and Jakoby. He was predeceased by his grandparents Warren “Bill” and Jane Allen of Spofford; Jacqueline and Bert Sommer of Hollis, NH; and his aunt, Nancy Allen.

"No winter without a spring and beyond the dark horizon, our hearts will once more sing for those who leave us for a while, have only gone away out of a restless, care worn world, into a brighter day." – Author unknown.

"Walk in the sunshine for me" – Love Jimmy.

A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held on Sunday, June 16, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. Burial services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James Warren Allen Memorial Fund, c/o, Savings Bank of Walpole, 84 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH 03431, to promote the direct involvement of the medical community in the recovery from the disease of drug addiction.