James "Jim" Joseph Allison

James Joseph Allison, age 83, of Indianapolis, passed away on November 3, 2020 at home with his wife by his side. Jim was born on January 28, 1937 in Washington, DC to the late Robert and Patricia (Lord) Allison. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attended Marian University where he was the first male to officially enroll when the college became co-ed in 1954. He graduated with honors in Philosophy and Theology. Jim served in the U.S. Navy and while stationed in Hawaii he met the love of his life, Julia Joanne Blanc. Jim and Julie would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April. They were married in Honolulu before traveling to Taiwan where two of their four children were born. After his time serving our country, Jim worked as a systems analyst throughout his career. His time with IBM gave him the opportunity to work with the early computing systems being used in accounting. Jim and Julie raised their family in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was an avid Colts and Pacers fan and loved watching the games, especially with family. Jim was a talented gardener with an encyclopedic knowledge about plants. He had a green thumb and enjoyed taking care of his beautiful perennial flower beds in the summer and his orchids and bonsai plants in the winter. Jim attended St. Pius X Catholic Church faithfully from 1965 until a few months before his death. He was proud to be the parish representative who worked with the architects when the new church was designed and built. He also served the parish as an usher and attended many parish events, classes, and bible studies. Jim was a voracious reader, a gifted writer, and a lifelong learner. He was a proud American who spent a great deal of time reading about, writing about, and discussing politics. Jim drove all over the United States for family vacations, and traveled to Mexico, Alaska, Europe, and China with Julie after retirement. In addition to travel, he loved nature and taking hikes, so the extended family enjoyed reunions at many Indiana state parks over the years. Jim was happiest when his entire family gathered to celebrate holidays and birthdays and he was delighted to be the patriarch of a family with twenty-six members. Jim/Dad/Papa will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family. Jim is survived by his wife, Julia (Blanc) Allison and their four children, Michelle (Rob) Henderson, Michael (Holly) Allison, Marianne (Chris) Heinzman, and Mark (Michelle) Allison, his brother David (Cindy) Allison, his beloved nieces, Kim and Kelli Allison, Kitty Allison Smith, nephew Kris (Tammy) Allison, and grand-nephew Brandon Smith, as well as twelve grandchildren: Annie (Landon) Oyer, Grace (Andrew) Anguiano, Cara Allison, Hillary Allison, Peter Allison, Robert (Shivani) Henderson, Matthew Henderson, Thomas Henderson, Ana-Claire Henderson, Jake Heinzman, Allison Heinzman, and Patrick Allison, and four great-grandchildren: Juniper Anguiano, Flora Anguiano, Beatrix Oyer, and Khoa Oyer. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Patricia Allison, and his older brother Robert Thomas Allison, Jr. A visitation for Jim will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 10:30 AM until 12:00 noon at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7200 Sarto Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46240. A Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow at 12:00 noon, also at the church, with Father James Farrell officiating. Entombment will take place at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery with a blessing ceremony for immediate family members. Memorial contributions in Jim’s honor may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Parish or Ascension St. Vincent Home Health Hospice. Please share a memory about Jim on this website which can be added to a celebration of life book that his family is creating. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6