John Allen

Mr. John W. Allen, age 56 of Deport died Saturday November 5 at his residence Funeral services will be 11 am Tuesday Nov 8 2011 in First Baptist Church of Bogata with Rev. Don Shovan officiating assisted by Rev. Mike Fortenberry. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Deport under direction of Wood Funeral Homes of Deport. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Monday at First Baptist Church in Bogata John was born Feb 25, 1955 in Paris the son of Kenneth Murl and Jessie Lee Abbott Allen. He graduated from Prairiland High School in 1973. On June 20, 1975 he married Phebe Flenniken and during their 29 year marriage together they had three children, Zachary, Dustin and Hollie. For 38 years he farmed cotton, soy beans, corn, wheat and milo. He was thankful God gave him the opportunity to live his dream every day through his three kids and farming. Through the years, he served on various boards and committees including: Little League Baseball Board, Team League Baseball Board, Little Dribblers Basketball Board, Prairiland School Board, Farm Bureau Committee, FSA Board of Clarksville and Paris, Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year 1983 and Farm Family of the Year 1990. He is survived by his sons, Zachary Allen and wife Jana of Deport, Dustin Allen and wife Koren of Johntown, and his daughter Hollie Allen of Deport. In addition, he is survived by one brother, Rodger Allen and wife Anna Beth of Deport, three sisters Rhonda Dockary and husband Jerry of Novice, Linda Driggers and husband Don of Reno and Martha Allen of Paris as well as a sister in law Ruth Ann Allen of Reno. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Murl Allen in 1978, his mother Jesse Lee Abbott Allen in 1991, his brother Kenneth Harold Allen in 2004 and his nephew Randy Lee Huddleston in 2006. He will be missed dearly by his kids, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations by given to the American Cancer Society 1301 S. Broadway Avenue Tyler, Texas 75701 - www.cancer.org .