John C. Allphin Jr.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family in Baton Rouge. He was 81. Visitation at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Pope Hall, 8833 Goodwood Blvd., Thursday, Oct. 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation resumes at the church Friday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. until Rite of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. A private committal will follow in the St. Luke's Episcopal Church Columbarium. Mr. Allphin is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Johnell Rush Allphin; daughter and son-in-law, Brookie Allphin Smith and Kermit Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Johnnie and Wanda Allphin; five granddaughters and spouses, to whom he was affectionately known as Paw Paw, Brenna Allphin-Smith Perez and August Perez IV, Brittany Allphin-Smith Lemoine and Justin Lemoine, Alissa Allphin, Lacey Allphin and Mallory Allphin; three great-grandchildren, August Perez V, Catherine Perez and Brennan Lemoine. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Stella Allphin. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Robert E. Ball, John Tyner, Scott Rabenhorst, Tom Sundermann, J. Howard Sundermann, August Perez IV and Justin Lemoine. Mr. Allphin was a graduate of Baton Rouge High School and earned a bachelor's degree from LSU in 1954, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty and as a captain in the USAF Reserve. He was a respected businessman, real estate appraiser, Realtor and public servant. He was the first Veterans Administration appraiser in the state, honored for 55 years of service. He was the co-owner of Allphin Agency Real Estate, Insurance and Appraisers until his passing. Mr. Allphin served selflessly in the Baton Rouge community throughout his life in many in many civic and community organizations. He was elected to the parish Democratic Executive Committee and two terms as an East Baton Rouge Parish councilman and mayor-president pro-tempore for Baton Rouge. He was the first Civil Defense director for East Baton Rouge Parish. He served as chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning and Zoning Commission, president of the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission, vice president of the East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation and Park Commission and president of the Baton Rouge Insurance Exchange. He is an inducted member of the Baton Rouge High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Allphin was selected as the outstanding young man of the year in Louisiana and in Baton Rouge by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was president of the Baton Rouge Junior Chamber of Commerce and state vice president. He is listed in Who's Who in American Politics and Who's Who in the South and Southwest. He was a past member of the Louisiana Police Jury and the Louisiana Municipal Association. His favorite pasttimes included being a frequent contributor to Smiley Ander's column and tailgating with his family for LSU football games. Mr. Allphin was an active member and usher at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The family expresses their sincere thanks to Deacon Reese Wiggins, the Rev. Cannon Brien Koehler, the Rev. Joseph Hermerding, the Rev. Ernie Saik, Dr. Richard Lieux, Lori Gronce, Renique Spears and the Texas Heart Institute. Memorial donations can be made to the John Allphin Leadership Scholarship Fund at St. Luke's Episcopal Day School, 8833 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, 70806.