Tom Allen

Tom Allen peacefully passed from this life on November 4, 2020 surrounded by family at his beautiful, beloved Seabrook home. He was an amazing educator, coach, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, boat captain, fisherman, diver, artist, athlete, handyman, veteran, mentor, and friend to all. Thomas E. Allen was born on October 9, 1944 in Houston, Texas, to Francis H. Allen and Mildred Benoist Allen. As a child, Tom lived with his Aunt Grace in McAllen and attended Catholic elementary school. He then moved around following his dad's construction career, but settled in Pasadena, Texas in middle school and was raised by his father. He was a standout football player at Pasadena High School, graduating in 1963, and he continued his football career at Wharton County Junior College, where he met and married Margaret Morgan. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State College and then served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Bliss and MacDill Air Force Base, where he used his commercial art degree by working on maps during the Vietnam War. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to Pasadena, Texas and began his outstanding coaching and teaching career at Park View Intermediate School in 1970. Margaret and Tom chose their daughter Kristen at three weeks old and were so excited to bring her home and complete their family. After Margaret's death in 1978, he raised his daughter, Kristen Allen, with the help of many close friends and colleagues. He married Linda Walker Chafin in 1992, gaining two more daughters, Erin and Linsey. He and Linda enjoyed boating and, after retiring from Pasadena ISD in 2002, they traveled the Bahamas in their Hatteras, The Kristen. Tom endured the tremendous grief of losing a spouse for a second time when Linda suddenly passed away in 2008. Tom once again found love and companionship with Gerri Frels, with whom he enjoyed a very special relationship over the last ten years. His relationship with Gerri was marked by laughter, helping with grandkids, driving the scenic way on trips, cooking, and spending good time together. Coach Allen coached and taught over three decades of young people, many of whom maintain contact with him today. Stories of his former students often revolve around the life lessons he taught and his compassion and discipline as he molded kids into young adults. He formed deep, lasting friendships with his colleagues at Park View that continued for his lifetime. He was inducted into the Park View Hall of Fame in 2000 and was incredibly proud when the football field at Park View was named "Tom Allen Field" in his honor. He loved hosting his friends around the firepit at his home and taking them out on his boat. He had close friendships with fellow boaters at Blue Dolphin Marina, where he kept a boat for decades. He was very proud of his daughters and sons-in-law, but his absolute joy was his grandkids. He enjoyed boating, fishing, going to movies, and building an amazing treehouse in his backyard for them. Another source of pride in his life was his home of over 45 years that he turned into a magical retreat with detailed discoveries around every corner, and he was so proud to have been featured in Coast Monthly Magazine in November of 2019. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Margaret, and his second wife Linda. He is survived by his love, Geraldine Frels of League City, and his daughters and their husbands: Kristen Allen and Jeremy Hill of Pearland, Erin and Kyle Stutts of College Station, Linsey and Matt Stutts of Kemah. He leaves behind grandchildren Camden Alford and fiancé Annie Meyzen of Katy, Morgan and Mitchell Hill of Pearland, Braden and Garrett Stutts of College Station, Reed and Jaxon Stutts of Kemah, great-grandchildren Brooklyn Alford, Alexia and Anthony Lopez all of Katy. He also leaves behind Gerri's family, Debbie, Brandon and Cade Wilson of Winneconne, WI, and Pam, Tom, Blake and Bryce Lloyd of Lutherville, MD. He will be greatly missed by his numerous friends and former students and players. As one former player recently wrote, "you just kind of knew that with him in the world, it is a better place." To remember his life, please join the family in a come-and-go celebration at the tiki at Topwater Grill in San Leon on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 2-5 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation: bit.ly/CoachAllenMemorial.