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BORN
1930
DIED
2017
John Allen Obituary
May 18, 1930 ~ October 31, 2017
Coach John Aloysius Allen, loving father, husband, teacher, passed away peacefully at his home in Bellevue, WA, with family and friends gathered. He will be so very dearly missed.
The funeral will be on Friday, November 10 at 1:30 pm at
St. Therese Church,
926 35th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Fr. Pat Howell, S.J. and Fr. Larry
Robinson, S.J. will be concelebrating. A celebration of
John's life will be held in the new year.
John was born to Mary McGrail and John Aloyisius Allen, Sr. in New York, NY. the fourth child of six. He was preceded in death by sisters Felicia, Mary and Joan and brother Steve. He is survived by his brother Edmund Peter Allen (Geraldine), and his wife of 61 years, E. Ardelle (Mitzi) Allen. John and Mitzi raised five children - Tracey Caraluzzi (Mark); Kelley Allen (Andy); Ardelle Rivera (Arturo); Sean Allen (Sonia); Trevor Allen; and leaves eleven devoted grandchildren, John, Connor, Carson, Madeleine and Isabelle Caraluzzi; Ardelle, Audrey and Roman Rivera; MacLaren, Emerson and Revson Allen; and many loving nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Seattle Prep he served in the Korean Conflict, where he caught the eye of an Army General who recognized his prowess on the football field. He was assigned to coach their division football league, leading them to victory after victory. After attending college, John returned to Seattle Prep as an assistant coach. He arrived at Jesuit High School, Beaverton, Oregon, September of 1959 to assume duties as a history teacher, and head coach of the football team. For 17 more seasons, Jesuit football was synonymous with John Allen and the beginning of a lasting tradition of excellence on the field. Fourteen consecutive winning seasons included 10 League Championships and two State Titles. At the time, he set the record for the most wins over a ten-year period. Coach Allen was named League Coach of the Year seven times, State Coach of the Year twice and Man of the Year in both 1968 and 1969. He also served as Jesuit's head track coach, leading the team to eight consecutive winning seasons. After departing Jesuit in 1978, John embarked on a very successful career applying skills he had sharpened in his storied work with high school students. He quickly mastered the move to motivating members of the business community nationwide through his affiliation with the Pacific Institute in Seattle. At age 74 he came out of retirement with great pleasure to assist Coach Terry Ennis at Arch Bishop Murphy in Everett, WA. Terry Ennis got his own start in coaching at Jesuit under John in the late 1960's.
He was inducted into both the Jesuit High School and the Seattle Prep Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1999 he was inducted into the National Walk of Champions, and the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame. As one of his players wrote about their 40th reunion, "He always had great individual memories of all his players. Godspeed, Coach!" John wrote a personal letter to each player in attendance.
Those who knew John are deeply grateful for his lasting contributions and recognize the numerous lives he meaningfully touched. AMDG.
In lieu of flowers, the John Allen Endowment Fund for Financial Aid has been established at Jesuit High School.
You may also make contributions to the Fischer Center For Alzheimer's Research at www.alzinfo.org/donate/donation_form/#donate_link
Sign John's on-line
Guest Book at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Allen
Sponsored by The Family.
Bruce MacGibbon
October 24, 2021
My favorite Football Coach at Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon.
Ramon Reiser
May 11, 2019
Among so many coaches I have had, including two Olympic coaches, Coach Allen was the greatest influence I ever had. And his wife so great as an example of tough, yet loving marriage and parenthood!I am just back in Seattle and hoped to find his address. Guess will have to meet him next in that section of Heaven for warriors and leaders.Missie, you have been my major influence next to my mother, in what a wife and husband should be! Tough. And loving. And oh so smart.
The day John shipped out of 60th Trans Co Uijongbu Korea
A J Pennick
October 5, 2018
John was a very dear friend. I was his replacement as Co clerk. My sincere condolences to his family, A J Pennick, [email protected]
Susan Celotto
August 4, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you, Mitzi, and the entire Allen family during this difficult time.
Pat
November 13, 2017
I am truly sorry for your loss. May you gain comfort by pouring out your heart to God in prayer. He cares for you and wants to support you during this most difficult time.
Celeste Yen
November 11, 2017
Dear Mitzi and Allen Clan,
I am very saddened to hear about John's passing. Over the many years, John has been a very dear friend (was like another father to) and was a wonderful boss to my sister Darcy. He will be sorely missed. I will fondly remember the times I would meet my sister at the Pacific Institute when I visited Seattle or with her, would sometimes drop in for a quick visit at the Allen abode, and was welcomed by John. I admired John's green thumb and how tenacious he was as a gardener, nurturing the garden of roses and trying to keep a pristine lawn. Also hearing about his athleticism as a runner, kept me inspired when I first took up running twenty years ago. During the past year I would often hear how John was doing and wasn't surprised to hear that he was still trying to take walks and remain active as best as he could even with the help of his family. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Aloha, Celeste Yen
Dan Layman
November 9, 2017
To the Allen family, I am very sorry for your loss. john Allen's life intertwined with our family. He generate a strong friendship with My Father , Dr. James D. Layman, Their friendship grew from their days at Seattle Prep, both as students and when Mr. Allen coached at Prep, during the same time my father was team physician. Over the years my father spoke very highly of John from his accomplishment both at Prep and at Jesuit High. It is ironic that both gentlemen were inducted into the Seattle Prep Hall of Fame. I had the pleasure of traveling with my Prep football team to play Jesuit High in 1973. I don't remember who won or lost but was introduced to Mr Allen by my father. You are all in my thoughts and prayers
Roger and Joan Porter
November 9, 2017
First of all, our condolences to Mitzi and your entire family. With John's passing, we are certain that you will miss him.
Our first memory of John and Mitzi involved our getting together with them and mutual friends. At that time, John and Roger were both coaching football in the Portland area. Roger remembers sitting with John, exchanging ideas about football on numerous occasions.
Our most memorable reflections about John, however, involved our attending his Pacific Institute seminars. His inspiration and new ways of thinking have had an impact on our lives, even after forty years. After attending John's seminars, Roger totally changed his approach to coaching football and working with students in the classroom, and Joan's teaching style was influenced as well. His life concepts in his seminars made living life a lot easier for us. We are eternally grateful to him.
John was truly one of those "Mileposts" in our lives.
We love you, John and Mitzi.
arthur kearney
November 9, 2017
Don't try to put the angels in a single wing, remember what happened the last time you tried that! Art & Sally
L Renfroe
November 9, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. May you gain much comfort by pouring out your heart to God in prayer. (Psalm 23) He loves you and wants to care for you during this most difficult time. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
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