Jerry L Allen
July 25, 1933 - January 15, 2021
La Jolla
Jerry Leonard Allen, a longtime resident of La Jolla, California passed away on January 15, 2021. Jerry was born on July 25, 1933, in Raleigh, North Carolina to Bessie and Leonard Allen. He received his early education in Newport News, Virginia public schools and was a graduate of Huntington High School and Hampton Institute (University) Class of 1957. As a boy during the depression, Jerry had a strong work ethic. He was a bicycle delivery boy for a grocery store and worked in one of the few black-owned movie theaters in Newport News. As a teenager, he worked in the Newport News shipyards, and during college he interned as an electrical engineer and helped wire the original Sears Tower Headquarters in Chicago. His hard work through the years paid off, and he was proud to buy a house for his mother when he was still in his teens.Upon graduation from Hampton with a degree in electrical engineering, Jerry began his Naval career at Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida where he was commissioned as an Ensign and designated a Naval Flight Officer. His distinguished military career included honors for landing a plane safely in O Porto, Portugal, after it experienced catastrophic engine failure over the Atlantic. In 1959, Jerry wed Kordella Scott, whom he met at Hampton University, and they had three daughters. They remained married for over 20 years. In 1967, Jerry left the Navy, after achieving the rank of Lieutenant to join American Airlines as one of the first black commercial airline pilots. The job required relocation from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to San Carlos, California. After 27 years with American, Captain Jerry Allen piloted his final flight from Los Angeles to London and spent his golden years in La Jolla, California.Jerry was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Rotary Club. He was a philanthropist and a big brother for Big Brothers of America. He was President of the Colony Hill Homeowners Association for many years, and he was an active and beloved member of Congregational Church of La Jolla, where he served on the Board of Trustees.Jerry loved jazz and art, and he loved to share the history of his art collection. After retirement, he studied the techniques of Houdini and learned to perform a variety of impressive magic tricks. He was a gifted storyteller who engaged his many friends with tales of his various adventures. Jerry is survived by numerous relatives including his daughters Stephanie Gowin (Steve) of San Francisco, CA, Jerilyn Bailey (Ronald W. Sr) of Huntersville, NC and Bronwyn Allen-Kaeser (Matthias) of Carlsbad, CA. His grandchildren Ronald Bailey, Jr (Angelica), Scott Gowin, Norrel Bailey, Sean Gowin, Sami Bailey, and Spencer Gowin. His great-grandchildren, Carmen and Graylon Bailey. His brothers William, James, Bruce and Calvin. His niece Jody Allen (Anthony Keitt) and nephews Ron (Theresa), Keith (Armand), Michael, Jeffrey (JoHanna) and Brian Davis. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and sister Gloria Davis (Yommie) of Stratford, CT.A virtual service will be held on Jan 30th, 2021 at 1 pm PST (4 pm Eastern) If you would like to attend please email: [email protected] Our family is asking that in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to Congregational Church of La Jolla 1216 Cave St. La Jolla, CA 92037

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jan. 26, 2021.