Fred Allen

Frederick J. Allen — loving and devoted husband of Patricia Allen and a genuinely good guy — passed peacefully during a nap on May 21, 2025, a beautiful, sunny day in Atlanta. Born in Detroit on July 18, 1931, Fred lived throughout Michigan, in Dayton, OH, as well as briefly in Neptune Beach, FL before he and Pat settled in Atlanta in 1985.

He is survived by his wife, their two children, Jack (Tania) Allen and Shaun (Tod) Martin, of Atlanta, and four grandchildren, Beau Martin (Berlin, Germany); Parker Allen (Wilmington, NC); John Allen and Charlie Allen (of Atlanta). He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Verna, and his younger brothers Roger and Ralph.

Among his accomplishments — and there were many — he considered none as meaningful and important as falling in love with and marrying Pat. It was impossible to know him and not know this, because it was such an intrinsic part of how he saw and lived his life.

They met working as part of a travelling crew selling Yellow Page ads for Michigan Bell. He was a bit of a hooligan, known to family and friends by his nickname “Cherokee.” She was the good Catholic girl. He described himself as “not marriage material,” which suited her fine, as she wasn’t looking for a husband. Like a rom-com, they became friends — talking for hours, sharing private jokes, and playing chess. Neither considered it dating.

When their schedules separated them for a few months, they made no plans to stay in touch. He wondered why life suddenly felt drab and colorless. He thought he must have the flu. In a story his children and grandchildren can all recite, he realized with a shock, “You son of a gun, you don’t have the flu — you’re in LOVE with that girl.” And the boy raced back to get the girl, kicking off a 68-year marriage.

Before meeting Pat, Fred knew education was a key to a better life. He earned a ROTC scholarship to the University of Michigan — which he later lost due to some college carousing. Determined to stay in school, he ran a nightly poker game at the Zeta Psi frat house to pay for college. Years later, he taught all his grandsons to play, emphasizing it as an essential life skill. His U of M baseball cap was a wardrobe staple, and while he generally hated music, he loved “The Victors” — Michigan’s fight song — and would sing it loud, proud, and often.

After marrying Pat, Fred moved to Dayton, OH, to join E.F. MacDonald — a sales incentive and trading stamp company — in operations and management. He spotted potential in people others dismissed, including promoting women into management. His no-bull effectiveness delivered outsized results and earned him a VP position.

In the community, he was a public school advocate. He helped lead a grass-roots organization that urged the local board of education to adopt innovative programs and priorities. Fred was Pat’s biggest supporter when she went to college — at age 40 — first to get her bachelor’s degree, then a master’s. At the time, three of the four Allens were in college.

Fred transitioned back into sales with Xerox in the mid-1970s. His quick wit, winning smile, and persistent presence earned him the nickname “Downtown Freddy.” He won numerous Chairman’s Awards for being consistently among Xerox’s highest performing salespeople. He transferred with Xerox to Atlanta in 1985, following his daughter Shaun’s move there after college. Jack followed soon behind in 1987.

Fred and Pat have been active members of Christ the King parish, leading Pre-Cana counseling. Lucky were numerous engaged couples who were given a living example of enduring love by the two of them.

Along with many cherished memories, Fred ensured his wisdom would persevere by writing out “Quotes from Chairman Fred” for his children and grandchildren. Given the importance of Pat in his life, his most essential advice: “Who you marry is the most important choice you make in life. Choose wisely.”

To celebrate Fred’s life and commend him to God’s mercy, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 10:00am at The Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fred’s memory to the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.