Allen Joseph Pfister

Allen Joseph Pfister, known to many of his friends as "Cajun," passed away peacefully in his home during the early morning of August 28, 2025, at the age of 82.

Allen was born on October 20, 1942, to William and Lillian Vicknair Pfister in Norco, Louisiana, where he grew up, attended school, and graduated from Destrehan High School in 1962.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Lillian Vicknair Pfister, and his brothers, Paul George Pfister and James Pfister.

After graduation, Allen joined the U.S. Army, completed basic training, and was assigned to the A Battery Nike Missile Base in Elroy, Texas, located east of Austin. The base guarded Bergstrom Air Force Base and the skies above Austin. It was while in Austin that Allen met his wife and soul mate of 61 years, Patricia Ann "Patty" Schneider. They married on July 4, 1964, which happened to be the only time he could get a three-day pass. After his honorable discharge from the Army, they moved to Llano where they raised their three daughters: Sherie, Darla, and Kristy.

After moving to Llano in 1965, Allen went to work as a lineman at Central Texas Electric Cooperative where he remained until retiring in 2007 after 42 years. The job was demanding and often brutal during bad weather, but he loved his work, the customers he served, and the many friends he made over the years. The men and women he worked with were his second family and he loved them all.

Allen dearly loved Patty's parents, Emil and Lorean Schneider, and was grateful for all of Emil's guidance along the way as he eventually took over the day-to-day operations of the family's ranching properties. In a biography written for his 50th class reunion, Allen shared: "My father-in-law was considered one of the best cowboys in Llano County, and I learned things about ranching and cattle that I never knew existed. It was quite a change for the 'cool cat' that I thought I was, bopping around Norco on my motorcycle. Many times, when I was on the ground delivering a calf, I wondered what in the world my friends from home would think if they could see me now."

Besides his job at CTEC, maintaining the family's cattle operations, all the while helping to raise three daughters, Allen also helped Patty at her Sears store for over 20 years. And, even though they both worked very hard to support their family, they had a lot of fun times also. Together, they enjoyed time with family and friends, tending the cattle, and dancing most Saturday nights at the Ramblin' Rose. They continued to enjoy dancing together into their later years.

Ever since Allen was a small boy growing up in the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, he lived to hunt and fish. In their younger years, during the winter, it was common for Allen and Patty to go home after a dance ended at 1:00 a.m., change clothes, and go coon hunting until dawn.

Allen was a devoted husband. He adored his wife, daughters, and extended family...they were his life. He was so proud of his daughters and all their accomplishments, and he delighted in being "PaPa" to his grandson and precious little great-granddaughter.

Allen is survived by his loving wife, Patricia "Patty" Schneider Pfister; daughters Sherie Pfister of Austin, Texas, Darla and husband Paul Hale of Clute, Texas, Kristy and husband Kevin Ratliff of Llano, Texas; brothers Leroy Pfister of Norco, Louisiana, and Roland Pfister (Rita) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; grandson Austin Joseph Hinojosa and great-granddaughter Alijah Patricia-Ann Hinojosa of Bastrop, Texas; Charlie and Judy Watkins and family of Llano, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

Allen will be deeply missed as the loving husband, father, PaPa, and friend that he was.

There will be a private family burial, and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital online, by mail, or by phone at 800-805-5856. Allen never failed to stop and comment on the precious St. Jude’s children shown on their commercial and what a wonderful organization they are. It is a cause that was near and dear to his heart.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?express=0&sc_icid=wtg-df-btn&amount=25&frequency_selected=1