George Sanford Allen

George Sanford Allen, age 86, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, with his family beside him. George was born January 4, 1939, to the late Dr. James H. Allen and Ruth Sanford Allen, in Iowa City, Iowa. George moved with his family to New Orleans in 1950 when his father became the Dean of Ophthalmology at Tulane University Medical School. He attended St Martins Episcopal School and graduated from Warren Easton High School. Upon graduation he joined the United States Marines, Platoon 159, where he remained in the reserves for 8 years. He attended Tulane University and the University of New Orleans before finishing at LSU School of Banking. George met his wonderful wife Odelia “Dee” Demonn Allen and after finishing college they were married and lived happily for 62 years before her death in 2024.

His professional career spanned many years of work with various New Orleans banks and one of his favorite and memorable deals, while with Colonial Bank, was assisting Ruth Fertel in acquiring her loan to start Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

George was a 'girl dad' but he found his many sons by coaching and coordinating the 7/8 baseball program at Carrollton Boosters for over 25 years. He found so much joy in coaching these young men who many are now leaders in this city in various forms including a few former professional athletes. One passion George and Dee both shared was their love for travel and baseball. Many of their adventures included traveling for Tulane Baseball and the St Louis Cardinals. And, for over 30 years every March you could find Dee and George in Florida attending Spring Training for the St Louis Cardinals. After retiring from coaching at Carrollton, they increased their traveling even more. They both loved cruises and took many, however the cruise they especially enjoyed was their cruise through the Panama Canal. Before Dee got sick, they had a "bucket list" cruise planned, a cruise from New York to Greenland to see the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, they never got to take that cruise. George's greatest joy came from his grandchildren and attending all of their many activities. Emily's baseball with Miracle League of New Orleans and Special Olympics Bowling and Track as well as Connor's baseball days and his many theatrical performances. These last few months, George greatly enjoyed attending the Aden Program for Memory Care at St Charles Presbyterian Church. George was an active member of St Martin’s Episcopal Church and loved volunteering, especially with the annual pumpkin patch.

George was preceded in death by his nephew Johnathan Allen, his parents, James Harrill Allen and Ruth Sanford Allen, his sister Mary Helen Allen and his loving wife Odelia “Dee” Demonn Allen.

George is survived by his daughter Deborah Allen Ward (Norman) and his beloved grandchildren Emily Odelia Hill and John Connor Hill. His brother John R. Allen (Ann), nephew Christopher M. Allen (Courtney) and great-niece Harper Allen and great-nephew Dexter Allen.

The family would like to express their sincerest love and appreciation to Linda Conner, Yolanda Diamond and Glenda Johnson for their exceptional and loving care in helping George this last year. As well as Marti McEnery, Kat Songy and their many wonderful volunteers with the Aden program who made it such a special place for him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 1:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM. The interment will follow the Mass at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate your consideration of a donation to The Miracle League of Greater New Orleans or The Guild at Raphael Village.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com