Harold Ray Allums

Harold Ray Allums, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 14th, in Tyler, Texas.

He was born June 1, 1935, to George and Josephine Allums in Johntown, Texas, where he spent his childhood and teenage years. After graduating from Bogata High School in 1953, Harold briefly attended Paris Junior College, where he played football, before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1954.

During his time in the Air Force, Harold served first as a drill instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, and later as a survival instructor in Reno, Nevada. Following his military service, he returned to Texas to complete his education at Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech University.

While at Texas Tech, Harold married the love of his life, Martha Ann Jones, on Thanksgiving Day in 1958. They shared nearly 44 years of marriage before her passing in 2002.

Harold began a long and impactful career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where he worked for over 30 years. His leadership helped shape and expand some of Texas’s most beloved state parks. Among his many contributions, he was the first to officially register the brand for the State of Texas herd of longhorn cattle — a legacy that still endures.

To say Harold was an outdoorsman would be an understatement. He found his greatest joy in being outside — whether on hunting trips with family, canoeing Texas rivers, or traveling the country with Martha in their beloved travel trailer. Every adventure was made better by sharing it with those he loved.

He was a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to his family. A longtime member of Noonday United Methodist Church, Harold lived his values with humility and consistency. He was the foundation of his family — the rock everyone could count on. Whether cheering from the stands, volunteering at events, or simply showing up when it mattered most, he never missed an opportunity to support his loved ones.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, George and Josephine Allums; brothers Marcus, Rex, and Jerry Allums; his wife, Martha Allums; and grandsons J. Brandon Gould and Preston Allums.

He is survived by his sister Kay Legate (Galen) of Bogata; brother Billy Allums (Linda) of Big Sandy; daughters Cindy McKie and Beth Elbert, both of Tyler; son Chuck Allums (Lori) of Rowlett; grandsons J.R. Schumann of Nashville, TN, and Mark McKie of Tyler; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members who loved and admired him deeply.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Cuthand Cemetery in Bogata, Texas.

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