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James Allen

1948 - 2012

James Allen obituary, 1948-2012, Santa Maria, CA

BORN

1948

DIED

2012

James Allen Obituary

James Joseph Allen
May 31, 1948 - March 8, 2012
After a courageous fight from complications due to surgery, Jim gallantly went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 8, 2012 surrounded by his loving family who never left his side.
Jim was raised in Santa Maria, California and graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1967. He was never the type of person to sit idle and he craved new experiences which took him to many places all over the world. After high school, with little money, Jim went to Europe with his friend Tim, where he traveled mostly by foot from city to city, learning the cultures and meeting new friends. When he came back, he then went to Hawaii where his love of surfing and a simple life held him for several years. This is also when he connected with the love of his life and best friend, Connie. When he finally came back to "the mainland", Jim took Connie and they tried a brief but adventurous journey throughout California working the Carnival. When raising a family became Jim's priority, they settled in Avila Beach, California for 30 years. They have enjoyed the past ten years living in Arroyo Grande, California.
Jim had an amazing work ethic and found his niche working as a Union Carpenter out at Diablo Canyon. His Union friends became his extended family and he would not hesitate to lend them a helping hand whenever needed. In retirement, he loved to travel to where he affectionately called his Tia, Baja, Mexico. He loved the simplicity of the life and the beautiful nature of its people.
When Jim decided to tackle anything, he did it 110%. He new the tides, the winds and every condition possible to make surfing the ultimate experience. When he free dove thoughout the coast of California, he trained himself to be able to stay down under for over five minutes and loved diving with his son, Matt and fellow divers in the Pea Bug diving club.
In Shotokan Karate, Jim not only learned the moves that earned him his Black Belt, but he studied with his trainer Jordan Roth and found that it was more a spiritual experience than a fighting one. When it came to fishing, he read about the fish, their habits, how to make the best set up to catch the big one, which he did, a 450 pound Marlin in Baja. He trained hard for the Santa Barbara Marathon and ran it in only 3 hours, 9 minutes. Life for Jim was all about learning, loving and living life to its fullest.
Affectionately known by many as Papa, Uncle Jimmy or Harpo, he touched many with his radiant smile, spirited laugh and his great gift for story telling. He found joy in finding the best surf spots with Rocky; fishing with his wife, Connie, son Matt and his best friend Bubba; going to breakfast with his granddaughter Makena; Walking with Connie and daughter Jessie and his dogs, Losa and Doogie at Lopez Lake or Avila Beach. He also found the time to coach his daughter's softball team which he led to a National Championship in 1987. Jim brought joy and love to everyone he met and no one was a stranger.
Jim was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Roger and Barbara Allen.
He will lovingly be remembered by his wife of 40 years, Connie; son, Matthew and girlfriend, Angela; daughter Jessica Morris and her husband and daughter, Brent and Makena; grandson/son, Rocky; grandson, Bo; brothers, Dick and Tom; nieces and nephews Todd, Erin, Zach, Mickayla, Meredith, Mara, Michael, Morgan, Cameron, Tasha, Asa and Jordon; mother-in-law, Mary Milo and her partner Bob; sisters-in-law, Karen, Kathy and Carla; cousins, Kathleen, Boyd, Jerry, David, Michael, Nancy and Cheryl.

Go in Peace, Papa - We will always love you!

A Celebration of Life Paddle-Out will be held on Sunday, March 18th at 1:00pm on the south side of Avila pier with a reception, in Avila, to follow.
The family wishes to thank all of the staff at French Hospital for their tireless help with Jim's fight.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Allen Family Fund which is set up through any Wells Fargo Bank or to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Maria Times on Mar. 14, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for James Allen

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Justine Phillips

March 30, 2012

Jim you were like a grandpa to me and I love you much I will miss you crazy, I know I haven't seen you in a while but you were always in my heart and still will be. I will miss you dearly.

Natalie Read

March 27, 2012

Harpo, I would be going to or coming from the beach and we would pass. You would reach out and pat me on the shoulder or we would high five in passing. When I needed to borrow eggs or sugar, Connie would say- just go to the house you know where the frig is. The kids were little then and always at the beach with all of us. Will miss Jim as he is "Avila" to me. Matt- fresh fish always and take care of the rest of the clan!! Connie you are the cornerstone of it all. Love and will miss you...Natalie Read (McTucker)

angela barton

March 25, 2012

The PAIN in my HEART is almost unbearable! JIM ALLEN was the BEST man I ever knew and I will MISS him EVERYDAY for the rest of MY LIFE! I love you PAPA!
connie,matt,sissy,rocky,bobo I Pray for the sadness to be taken off of your hearts. I love you guys!!

March 22, 2012

Im so sorry for all of you.. Jim was such a good man.. i love you all Crystal Branquinho

Charles Hunt

March 21, 2012

Dear Connie & Jessica & other family members of Jim Allen,
Jim was always and still is such a pleasant and nice man. I am sure you will all miss him a lot for a few short years until we all join him there in the joys of life in Heaven, which is even more joyful and better than this wonderful life of living in the United States, and even better than living on the Central Coast. I remember feeling very clearly 12 years ago after my severe car accident while barely alive for a few weeks in the hospital, that if I woke up the next day on the other side, that it would also be wonderful to be with loved ones there. We pray for your inner peace through this difficult time. Love, Charles Hunt and team at the Charles Hunt State Farm Insurance Agency.

steven leseman

March 20, 2012

I'm sad to here of jims passing.I worked with Jim for years at Diablo cyn.Always fun to be around,yet still getting the job done.I hope he's fishing with my dad in the great pond in heaven.steve leseman,operating enginer.

Dave & Nadine Grant

March 17, 2012

Jim, whose smile warmed and filled the room.
His love of life and family, especially his kindred spirit, Connie, was always present, adding to the glow.
His bear hugs made one feel welcome and the twinkle in his eyes included you in the joke.
Thunder and lightning keep us away from wishing you aloha in person. You left us much too soon.
We'll miss you Jimmy. With warm aloha, until we meet again.

Love,
Dave & Nadine

March 17, 2012

Connie and Family our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Kristie and Rudy Molina

Carolee Fisher

March 16, 2012

Connie, my heart goes out to you at this time and the days ahead. I have some great memories of you and Jim in Avila Beach.My prayers are with you and your family.

Don Melin

March 16, 2012

Connie, I will never forget your kindness and acceptance during a tough time in life. Harpo teaching me how to body surf, ball crazy Koala, all memories that stay with me...you were blessed to have him and he to have you. Love you my friend...Donny M

Ian Phillip

March 15, 2012

A real man of Avila whose legend was all around. Peace to Matt, Jess and the rest of the family. He looked out for all the groms. Aloha Jim.

Marie Russo-Kerr

March 15, 2012

Harpo, there will never be another one like you. Always so full of fun and life. We had good times in the 60's. See you on the other side some day. Connie, may God wrap his loving arms around you and give you peace.

Gerry Minor Family

March 15, 2012

Connie, we love you and will miss Harpo so much. Know that we are here for you.
So glad we know Harpo is with his Lord and out of pain. Hope there is fishing in heaven!

The Robesky Family

March 14, 2012

We love you Harpo, and miss you. You will always have a place in our hearts. I will look for you everyday in the natural beauty that surrounds us, and know you are watching over us.

March 14, 2012

Connie, all of your petsitting buddies send their thoughts and prayers. We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Jim is now in the arms of God, and out of pain and suffering. Keep his memory alive in your heart!! JoAnn, Sarah and Gang

delight kuhnle

March 14, 2012

My heart goes out to connie and jim's family. Gone for now, is a very special person and a gentle soul. You will be missed. I wish I could have said goodbye to my oldest friend.

Tonia Harrell

March 14, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers go to the Family of Jim Allen, So many of the Avila Boys are with him now

Ingrid Hilton

March 14, 2012

Are prayers are with all the family, he will be greatly missed. Richard and Ingrid Hilton

Kathleen Sullivan

March 14, 2012

Salainte, Cousin Jim. The Grant family has lost a part of their heart with your passing. We love you. Baby Kai

Kristin Brewster

March 14, 2012

Much love to the Allen family. My thoughts are with you all.. Avila will not be the same with out Harpo but his memory and laughter will live in all of our hearts.

Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results

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