David LaVerne Allen

David LaVerne Allen, age 92, passed away on September 6, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. David was born to Arvard LaVerne Allen and Grace Nance Allen on July 8, 1933 in Austin, TX. He grew up on the family ranch west of Kyle with his sister Grace; land that has been in the family since the mid-1800s. David attended school in Kyle and graduated with his class of 9 from Kyle High School in 1950. During this time, he was proud to be on the Kyle High School Football team, playing 6-man football. He was an active 4-H member, showing cattle, turkeys, and sheep. Following graduation from high school, he went on to attend Texas A&M University in College Station, at a time when there were no females allowed and everyone was in the Corp of Cadets. While at A&M, he was a member of the A&M Rifle Team and was Captain his Senior year. He participated in many competitions including the Southwest Invitational Matches at El Paso, Texas; West Point, New York; the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina; and at Oklahoma University. In 1954, he graduated as one of the loudest and proudest fighting Texas Aggies with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry.

For two years following graduation from A&M, he served in the United States Army. He was an expert rifleman in weapons qualification; was ranked a First Lieutenant; was an Infantry platoon leader in a heavy mortar company while on active duty in Puerto Rico. He also served as a basic infantry instructor in training recruits at Fort Hood, Texas. He continued to enjoy using his riflery skills for hunting various types of deer and exotics, including a yearly hunting trip to Colorado later in life. He went on to become the ranch foreman for eight years at the Iron Mountain Ranch north of Marathon, Texas. During this time, he married Beverly Jean Kirkland on February 26, 1961. In 1964, the young couple moved back to Kyle to live on the ranch where he spent his life in the farming and ranching business, running his own operation as well as managing the adjoining McCoy ranch for over 50 years. In 1983, his marriage to Beverly ended abruptly with her lost battle with cancer, and a new chapter of life began. David began to expand the llama herd he had begun back in the 1970s. He was instrumental in forming the South Central Llama Association, where he served as President, to promote the llama industry. He began training and showing the llamas at several major stock shows including San Antonio, Austin, the State Fair in Dallas, and Houston, while also encouraging the involvement of youth in training programs. He became an active llama judge as well, traveling out of state.

On December 30, 1989, David married Shyrle Grisham Brooks, and they continued to expand the involvement of the llamas on the ranch and adding miniature donkeys, opening a bed and breakfast operation featuring interaction with the various animals, leading to the name of New Tracks Ranch. It became a favorite spot for many guests to come and visit. David continued to be active in advocating for agriculture and protection of the land and its natural resources. His expertise in identifying vegetation and the various grasses came in very useful in his ranching experiences. He was recognized recently for his 14 years of service and involvement with the Hays County Soil and Water Conservation Department. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association as well as the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He was always active in Church and loved to sing the hymns. He served as a Deacon at the Blanco Church of Christ.

David is preceded in death by his parents and first wife, and survived by his wife, Shyrle; his sister, Grace Allen Crumley, his daughter, Shareen Elithe (Allen) Vader and husband, Morris; step-children Brad Brooks and wife Kelly, Lisa Brooks Mayo and husband Dave; grandchildren Sharris Karyn (Vader) Anderson and husband, Chris; Marissa Lynn Vader, Shawn Brooks, Tanner Mayo and wife Breana, Laurel Mayo Baucom and husband Brandon; and three great-grandchildren - Jason and Sadie Anderson, and Shyler Mayo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation and celebration of David's life will be held at Pennington Funeral Home in San Marcos, TX on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at 10:00am with a Tribute beginning at 11:30am at the conclusion of the visitation, followed by a private internment with immediate family at the ranch.