Gordon "Joe" Allen Sr.

Gordon Phillip "Joe" Allen, Sr. of Roxboro, died peacefully on December 23, 2010 with all of his children by his side. He was born on April 29, 1929 in Roxboro, NC to the late George Lemuel Allen and Sallie Wilkerson Allen.
Gordon graduated from Mars Hill College in 1949. He served as 1st lieutenant in the United States Army during the Korean War and as Commanding Officer in the NC National Guard following the war. He started his business career in insurance in 1954 and soon became a partner in the Thompson-Allen Insurance Agency. Gordon served his local community in many roles including President of Roxboro Chamber of Commerce, President of Roxboro Kiwanis Club, Chairman of the Person County Economic Development Commission, and Co-chairman of the Person Memorial Hospital Building Project. He was always a strong supporter of the Community College system in North Carolina and introduced the bill in 1969 which created Piedmont Community College. He was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees and continued to serve as a board member for over 35 years.
Gordon was active in the North Carolina General Assembly. He served in the Senate for three terms, from 1969 until 1975 and was elected President Pro-Tem and Majority Leader in 1971. From 1997 until 2005, he served as a member of the House of Representatives as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He represented the North Carolina Bankers Association as the lead legislative agent from 1977-1997. The N.C. Banker's Association annual service award is dedicated and named in honor of Gordon P. Allen. In 1971, he worked closely with state leaders in the reorganization of the University of North Carolina system.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Betsy Harris Allen, his parents, Lemuel and Sallie Allen and brother, George Lemuel Allen, Jr.
Gordon is lovingly remembered by his sister, Vergie Allen Clayton of Roxboro; his son, Phillip and his wife, Felicia and their children, Caroline, Carson and Carly; his daughter, Kassie McCollum and her husband, Tony and their children, Katie, Annie, Allen, David and Lee: his daughter, Betsy Reade Creech and her husband, Gray and their children, Rachael, Sonny, and Betsy Reade; his son, George and his wife, Carol and their children, Anna Christian, Mary Carr and Sallie; his son, Page and his wife, Laura and their children, Harris, Graham and Cullen. Gordon Allen will be remembered as a person who loved his family, community, state and country.
The family will receive friends on Monday, December 27, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Brooks and White Funeral Home, 907 Durham Rd., Roxboro, NC.
A service celebrating his life will be held at Long Memorial United Methodist Church in Roxboro on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Burchwood Cemetery. Bruce Allen and Nathan Fox, Gordon's first cousin, will officiate the service.
The family will receive friends and family prior to the service at 1:00 in the Harris Fellowship Hall at the church.
The family asks that memorials be made to Piedmont
Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1197, Roxboro, NC 27573.
The family expresses their love and appreciation to the caring staff of Sunrise Assisted Living of Raleigh, Hospice of Wake County, Mayview Convalescent Home of Raleigh and to the many friends who gave their love and support to Gordon and his Family.
Condolences may be sent to www.brooksandwhite.com