James Allen

1948 - 2012

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.