John Baker Allen Jr.

John Baker Allen Jr. COLUMBIA - Memorial service for John Baker Allen, Jr., 73, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2014, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with Rev. Marion D. Aldridge officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Mr. Allen passed away May 14, 2014. He was a 1963 graduate of the University of South Carolina and a 1972 graduate of the USC School of Law where he was a member of the Wig and Robe and served as Business Manager of the S.C. Law Review. He was an employee of S.C Farm Bureau until he opened his own law practice in the Lower Richland area in 1973. John loved his work and continued practicing until his death. John was a past program chairman of the Richland County Bar and served on the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee. He was a past member of the Lower Richland Ruritan Club and the East Columbia Rotary Club, where he was a Phil Harris contributor. He was a member of the Richland County Bar Association, S.C. Bar Association, S.C. Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, and a S.C. Bar Fellowship Life Fellow. He was licensed to practice in the S.C. State and Federal Courts, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court and certified to serve as a S.C. Arbitrator and Mediator. He was also a lifelong member of Greenlawn Baptist Church. John, lovingly known by his grands as "Papa," was born and raised in Columbia. He enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, shrimping, and any excuse to spend time on the lake or in the Lowcountry. He loved Carolina football and good southern barbeque. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. John is survived by his wife, Marian; four children, Sheryl A. Moore and her husband, Tim Moore, of Mt. Pleasant, John B. Allen, III, "Tripp", and his wife, Denise Allen, of Aiken, Veronica R. Alasad and her husband, Bashar Alasad, of Edmond, OK, Shelley R. Edwards and her husband, Chris Edwards, of Lexington; ten grandchildren, Kerry Allen, Ashli Allen Harley, Sean Allen, Casey Franke, Zachary Watson "Zack", Tyler Allen, Emily Edwards, Samantha Edwards, Audrey Alasad, Laura Alasad; three great-grandchildren, Easton, Ayden and Madelyn; mother-in-law, Thalia Coleman of Bonita Springs, Florida; sister-in-law, Rae Coleman of Lilliwaup, Washington; many cousins; and beloved pets, Daisy and Buddy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memoriam be made to Pawmetto Life Line, 1275 Bower Pkwy., Columbia, SC 29212, or a charity of one's choice. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfuneralhomedevine.com.