Kenneth Allen Jr.

Kenneth Percy Allen, Jr was born on December 23, 1929 to Kenneth P. Allen, Sr. and Lucille Ward Allen, in Meridian, MS. While attending Mississippi State University, Ken was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and a resident of famed Polecat Alley in Old Main Dorm. He met the love of his life, Lorean Ellis Allen, while she was attending nearby Mississippi State College for Women and singing in a local band. They wed in 1951. Ken volunteered into the U.S. Air Force after graduation from State and they were stationed in Alamogordo, NM for 4 years. Upon honorable discharge from the U. S. Air Force, Ken and Lorean returned to Meridian, where Ken enjoyed a 50-year career in the Wholesale Auto Parts Industry.

Ken was a life-long lover of music, particularly New Orleans-style Dixieland. He began his music career in the MHS Band, which was assigned to be the drill band at Camp Shelby during World War II. He was also a member of the Famous Maroon Band at Mississippi State. Throughout his life, he played any time he could, focusing on Concert Bands, Big Bands, and Dixieland. Ken played for over 30 years with the New Bourbon Street Jazz Band, now heard bi-monthly at Hal & Mal’s in Jackson, performing his last time only 3 months ago. He was an outstanding technical and improv musician and a friend and encourager to many in the business and music worlds.

Preceding him in death were his Parents, his Wife, his Dear Sister, Joye Allen Wyckoff, his In-Laws William Lytle, Jr. and Marie Ellis, Brother-in Law William Lytle Ellis III (Cora), Sisters-in-Law Willodeen (Woody) Hollingsworth and Donna Ellis . Surviving him are his children, daughter Lynne Allen Majek (Randy), and son, Kenneth P. Allen, III, Sister-in-Law Eleanor Ellis and Brother-in-Law Selwyn Ellis. Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Lauren Mackenzie Allen, Hayden Bradford Allen, Olivia Grace Majek and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Kenneth P. Allen, Jr will be held at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland on Monday, July 15, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and graveside service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the New Bourbon Street Jazz Society, 1823 St. Mary Street, Jackson, MS 39202. A celebration of Ken’s life, in second-line spirit style, will be held at Hal & Mal’s in Jackson on Wednesday, July 24 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. An open bar for donations to the Jazz Society will sponsored by Lynne Majek and Ken Allen III.