Samuel Henry Allen

Samuel Henry Allen was born on May 31, 1933 in Grapevine, Texas, in the "fly-trap house" where Grapevine Lake is today. He was born the fifth of seven children to Dora Mae Ryan and Gilbert Allen. Sam passed away while sleeping early Labor Day morning, Monday, September 1st. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, his children, Bart and Beth, grandchildren Justin, Kenton, Steven and Ryan, and many nephews and nieces. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Dora and Gilbert, brothers, Jack and Neil, and sisters Beadie, Mary, Sarah and Dorothy.
Sam grew up in Grapevine, Argo and Dallas, Texas. He loved sports and played basketball and baseball with passion. In high school at Crosier Tech, he played on basketball teams that won State finals in their division. It was basketball that brought Sam to North Temple Baptist Church-one of the top contenders in the Dallas Church League. North Temple pastor, Dr. Gene Colton, required all sports players to attend Sunday School and Worship Services, where Sam met Phyllis Bedker, who became his wife in 1953. On their wedding day, Sam received his draft notice. After two weeks together, he reported to the Army for his two-year term that took him to Japan. Known as "Tex" in the Army, Sam used his talent for math in the Army's finance, accounting, payroll and procurement divisions, all while playing basketball and baseball in an Army League.
Returning to his bride after the Army, church became the center of their social and everyday life for Sam and Phyllis. In addition to playing on church basketball teams, Sam played soft-ball, volleyball and bowling on church teams. Later he was a referee in the Dallas Church League. He and Phyllis were Charter Members of Royal Haven Baptist Church, where Sam chaired numerous committees and served as a Deacon. In recent years, Sam and Phyllis have been members of First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch. They have lived in Farmers Branch for 70 years, where Sam served on the Advisory Board for the Farmers Branch Senior Center and worked on Bob Phelps' mayoral campaigns.
Sam built a very successful career in accounting and finance on the foundation of his Army experience. He worked for Sun Oil Company for 20 years as an oil and gas accountant. After owning a high-end tools retail company, Sam worked for Vanco Construction /Vantage Company as construction estimator and project manager. Returning to oil and gas accounting in 1986, Sam worked as a Trust Tax Accountant for Republic Bank, KPMG, Republic Bank/N.C.N.B. and Ameritrust, until he retired in 1995. He continued to work during tax season-November through April-as a Trust Tax Accountant for Price Waterhouse, Nations Bank and Bank of America until 2010. Sam has always been a tax advisor and IRS tax return preparer for his family.
Sam always made his family his top priority. He coached Bart's Bomber Football teams and Little League Baseball teams. He designed, engineered and built a telescoping camping trailer that the family used on many vacations and weekend trips. Sam planned family water-skiing weekends at Jack's Lake Texoma cabin, and many snow-skiing vacations for extended family and friends. He built large wood play-gyms for Bart and Beth's children, copying a Rainbow play-gym in a neighbor's yard. When Beth was born, Sam started saving, and twelve years later bought "The Farm" and 60 cattle. Each year, he would sell the calves to pay for Beth and Bart's college educations.
If Sam were writing this himself, he would thank his family and friends and explain how much they all have meant to him. He was and is a Christian, so it's a relief to know we will meet Sam again, joyfully, on the other side.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch.