John L. Allen

1932 - 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Grandpa John, a treasured member of our family.Longtime Marble Falls resident John L. Allen, age 92, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025. At the time of his passing, John was surrounded by family in his San Marcos home.

John was born on June 15, 1932, in Dallas to Elmer William Allen and Rebelle Elanor Nunn. John lived in several cities while growing up including Dallas, San Antonio, Portland, and Colorado Springs. On June 21, 1951, John enlisted in the United States Air Force in Colorado Springs. Despite getting his private pilot license at age 16 and flying in the Oregon Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and as a member of its well-known search and rescue squadron, John never flew for the Air Force. John dedicated 26 years of his life to serving his country becoming a Master Sergeant E-7 and crew chief for B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 air refueling tankers during both Korean and Vietnam Wars and the post-conflict era. During his Air Force service, John transitioned from working on airplanes based at Castle AFB in California, Andersen AFB in Guam, Kadena AFB in Okinawa, U.S. airbases in Thailand, Eielson AFB in Alaska, Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, and Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota to the Titan II missile program at Little Rock AFB in Arkansas. As a way to maintain his private pilot licensing requirements, John flew service members' pets to and from Ramey AFB. John earned several awards in the Air Force including the Korean and Vietnam War medals as well as multiple commendations before he retired on August 31, 1977.

On May 24, 1952, John married his first wife, Betty Joan Pointer, and during their 30-year-marriage they had three children-William "Bill," Donna Kim, and Donald. Joan, his children, as well as his parents and his older brother, U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Elmer Rhea Allen, all preceded John in death. Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, John moved to Tehachapi, CA. In 1984, John married his second wife, Katherine Blakey. In 1991, they left their home in Bear Valley at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and moved to Marble Falls. John and Katherine were married for 30 years until her death on November 20, 2014.

John embraced life and was an inspiration to all who knew him. John was known for his kindness, generosity, humor, and love of adventure. He was also a lifelong Mason most recently serving as a member of the Blazing Star Masonic Lodge #413 in Marble Falls. For many years, John was a Ben Hur Shrine member in Austin and devoted his time and energy on the Entertainment Committee and in the Shriner's Clown service as "Jolly." He had a longstanding love of the outdoors and animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. He loved playing hockey, snow skiing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, riding horses, golfing, and travelling, especially when it came to cruising. John was also a longtime fan of rollercoasters riding his last one, the Hulk at Universal Studios in Florida, at age 87.

John was a Christian having been baptized on November 12, 2023, and was a member of the First Christian Church in San Marcos. He is survived by his adoptive family who he lived with for a decade after becoming a widower-Laura and Daryl Fields and their children, Brandon, Dylan, Brady, Lacey, Amily, Lindsey and her husband, Reece Van Hoose. Inurnment with military honors for John will take place at 9:00am on March 20, 2025, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John's name to the Corps of Cadets program at San Marcos Academy, 2801 Robert Fanning Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home, 2001 Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX 78666. For more information and to sign the online registry, please visit thomasonfuneralhome.com.