Charles Monroe Allen Jr.

Charlie was born on October 15, 1932, in Woodbury, New Jersey. He later lived in Lake Worth, Florida (beginning in 1947), and Seminole, Florida, before moving to Tallahassee in 1974.

Charlie graduated from Lake Worth High School in 1951, where he lettered in varsity basketball, played baseball, and received the school's Outstanding Service Award upon graduation. He earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a master's degree in Journalism from Florida State University. While at FSU, he served as secretary of the Theta Chi social fraternity and broadcast Seminole basketball (1954–1956) and baseball (1955–1956), including the first radio play-by-play broadcast from what is now Dick Howser Stadium at Mike Martin Field.

In 1956, Charlie entered the U.S. Army and graduated from the Nike Missile Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His tour of duty took him to northern New Jersey, where he served with the New York City Defense Command, overseeing the engineering equipment used to fire missiles in defense of the city.

After completing two years of active duty, Charlie joined WTVT Channel 13 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, where he worked as a reporter, newscaster, and news assignment editor, producing the station's daily 6:00 p.m. evening newscast from 1958 to 1974.

From 1974 to 1991, Charlie served as Information Officer for Commissioner Doyle Conner at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. During his tenure, he became president of both the National Association of Agricultural Communicators and the Southern Association of Agricultural Communicators. He is credited with establishing the first direct electronic connection between a state agriculture department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Among his many accomplishments, he coordinated public relations for the highest-ranking Chinese agricultural delegation ever to tour Florida agriculture and supported several U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture during statewide freeze-damage assessment tours.

Charlie concluded his professional career by returning to broadcasting as Development Director for The Public Broadcast Center at Florida State University, where he tripled radio and television fundraising donations.

A devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Charlie served faithfully in numerous leadership and volunteer roles.

Charlie's philosophy was simple: leave every project in better condition than when you inherited it. Throughout his life, he embodied that principle in both his professional and personal endeavors. He was also active in community organizations, including the Seminole Sertoma Club, and proudly served as parade marshal for the annual St. Petersburg Christmas Parade.

Charlie was a loving husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather who enjoyed traveling, working in his yard, and building Lionel O-gauge and HO-scale model railroads. One of Charlie's greatest joys was traveling, and those fortunate enough to travel with him knew they were getting much more than a vacation—they were getting a history lesson. His remarkable knowledge of the places he visited brought each destination to life.

He raised two sons before becoming stepfather to three young children, helping guide them through their teenage years, college, and marriage. He was always loving, patient, understanding, generous, and supportive, faithfully attending countless ballet recitals and baseball, football, basketball, and soccer games throughout his years as a parent and grandparent.

Charlie will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, his dedication to public service, and the love he shared with his family, friends, and community.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara L. Allen; his son, Scott D. Allen (Karen) of Tallahassee; three stepchildren, Kellee Rumbough (Tim) of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Susan Coxwell (Dennis) of Tallahassee, and Michael Roche (Stephanie) of Tallahassee; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Charles M. Allen III; his sister, Jacqueline Matthews of Port St. Lucie, Florida; and his parents, Charles M. Allen, Sr., and Florence Fenton Allen.

A Celebration of Charlie's Life will be held at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home & Memorial Park (Timberlane Road) on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1086, Tallahassee, FL 32302.