Sam Allen was born 98 years ago near Cherokee City, AR and resided in fort Smith until his passing on January 10, 2013. Sam was one of ten children born and raised on a sorghum cane farm that has now been in his family for more than 105 years near Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He was so proud to be able to help keep the over 400 acre Allen Family Farm to this day as a heritage to preserve and enjoy for his family and all of the Allen descendents. He knew no stranger as he made his life in the Fort Smith area after attending college at Kansas State Teachers College. Sam taught skilled trades-everything from carpentry and electrical work to industrial welding to literally thousands of Fort Smith students who to this day tell his family stories of his help and “guidance” in school.. Teaching at Darby, Ramsey, Northside, Westark, (now the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith) and Southside for some 35 years. During WWII he taught school during the day and at Fort Chaffee at night. He loved the different grains of wood, creating walnut, and oak cutting boards, lamp sconce, easels and about anything else that you could make with wood. He had a booth of his hand crafted wood work items for over 40 years at War Eagle Arts and Crafts Fair. His second job, at an age when most retire, was selling commercial roofing. He claims to have roofed most of downtown Fort Smith. In 2008 at the age of 93, he held the #1 commercial roofing salesman for Texas Refinery Corporation. He retired from Texas Refinery Company several times, the last at the age of 94. The owners and manger’s at TRC became a part of his family over the years as we shared history and family get togethers. He loved family and promoted many vacations together during his lifetime. He loved the reunions at the Allen Family Farm, where from 20 to 100 could show up to crowd the cabin, eat good food, hike Billy Goat Mountain and play in Coon Creek. He also arranged trips, mostly thru TRC, from Bermuda to Mexico with all of his kids, their spouse’s and usually a few other relatives were thrown in for good measure, all so that family could be together. He married Chris Allen in 1939 and they had four children; Betty and husband Clif Haygood of Dallas, TX., Andy and wife Melanie of Magnolia, AR., twins, Tom and wife Denise Allen of Bowling Green, KY., and Christie and husband Bill of Fort Smith. Sam was married for just over 50 years to Chris, the gorgeous redhead who caught his eye while he was working at Northside High School many years ago, and they always had many fun stories, good laughs and travels to reminisce about. He stood by her during her long illness and upon her passing was blessed to find Jane, who he married in 1991, and who brought the twinkle back to his eyes. They enjoyed many travels and the frequent visits to the farm. Dad said that “he was the luckiest person alive to find two such great women in one lifetime.” He leaves many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, all who have great memories to share and numerous stories of his long life. Jane’s children; Beverly and husband Bob of Evergreen, CO., Curtis and wife Diane of Dallas, TX., and David and wife Betsy of Fort Smith, were also an important part of Sam’s life. He was preceded in death by his first wife Chris Allen, his granddaughter Lacy Allen and his four brothers and five sisters, Allie Bell Root, Neva Adell Jones, Monell Reinhold, Lou Roberts, Daniel Allen, Bob Allen, Thomas Allen, Gilbert Allen and Lois Trumble. Funeral service will be Monday, January 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the Roebuck Chapel of First United Methodist Church with burial at 2:30 PM in Dickson Cemetery near Siloam Springs, AR all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-4 PM. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 2408 South 51st Court Fort Smith, AR 72903 or The Lacy Allen Memorial Fund c/o Union County Community Foundation 101 West Main Suite 506 el Dorado, AR 71730. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18