Michael Clifton Allen

"He was also a good friend and an old one and the best kind of company."

from Goodbye to a River by John Graves

Michael "Mike" Clifton Allen was a true son of the north central plains of Texas and sincerely appreciated his pioneering Texas family roots.

Born in Corpus Christi, TX on January 8, 1941, he grew up in rural Texas on the Paluxy River. After graduating from Tolar High School he attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts and Engineering from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos (now Texas State University). This is also where he met the love of his life, Barbara Karp.

They lived in San Marcos, Dallas, and Austin before settling in Garland, TX where they raised their three children. Mike lived life as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and friend. He was involved with his sons in Boy Scouts & cheered them on through Little League Baseball and Youth Soccer. He helped with many science fair projects and designed & built stage sets for his daughter's high school dance team. He approached life with a wonderful sense of humor and abundant love of his family and friends.

Mike spent his career in the aerospace and defense industry. Devoted to his work, he commuted from Garland to Ft. Worth - 120 miles a day - for 39 years. He loved his job working for General Dynamics and Lockheed-Martin, creating inventions to keep the airplane manufacturing process safe and productive. He earned many patents developing parts for the F-16 and F-35 military fighter aircraft. His creative mind was always thinking and he understood that often a simple solution was better than a complicated one.

Following an extended illness with a neurodegenerative disorder, he passed away in Austin Texas on May 1, 2023 at age 82 surrounded by his devoted family. Mike was preceded in death by his son Russell "Russ" Allen and his parents John Allen & Dorothy Clifton Allen Tiwater, and his step-father Farest Tiwater.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara, his daughter Angela Allen-Watson (husband Russell), son Jeff Allen, and grandson Aidan Watson.

In addition to the care from his dedicated wife & other family members, Mike had many wonderful caregivers over the past several years. Mike's family is grateful for the assistance from The Key, Helper Bees, and Beacon Home Hospice. The family wishes to thank Dr. Greg Thaera of ADC Neurology and the Austin & Cedar Park branches of the AFTD and Bethany UMC's House of Friends patient & caregiver support groups. A memorial service in celebration of Mike's life will be planned for a later date.

Donations can be made to The AFTD-The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (https://www.theaftd.org/) or the charity of your choice.