James LeFon "Jerry" Allen Jr.

James "Jerry" LeFon Allen, Jr.

On July 24, 2025, Jerry Allen left his body, but he did not leave this world. He lives on in the hearts and smiles of his wife, Kristen; his daughters, Maggie and Julia; his mom, Terry; his sister, Sherry, and brother-in-law, John; his three nephews; his father, Jerry, and his family, Donna, Anna and Luci; and extended family that includes aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and countless friends. He was godfather to 11 children.

Jerry was a lifelong Richmonder and was proud to call it his hometown. His childhood and adolescence were full of extended family gatherings, the neighborhood pool, dirt bikes, Star Wars figures in the back yard, camping, days at Pony Pasture, music and friends he stayed close to until the end of his life. He left Richmond briefly in 1988 to attend Virginia Military Institute, where he met a brotherhood of friends who remained more like family. His graduation from VMI was always a great source of pride. For the majority of his career, he was in the IT Asset Recovery Industry at various companies, finally achieving the position of Director of Strategic Accounts at ReMarkets. His work ethic and passion were always evident, working hard to improve company processes and provide good service for his accounts, but his real passion in all facets of his life was people.

It would be impossible to overstate his devotion to family and friends. He showed up for his people, no matter how big or small the gesture. He made a point to respond quickly to texts and to let people know when he was thinking about them with a thoughtful gift, an appropriate song lyric or something funny he saw or heard. He was fiercely protective and made sure his people felt their importance. He was present to celebrate every milestone and help mourn losses, always the last to leave a gathering. He always chose a hug over a handshake and never let go first. He was quick with a smile or joke and people gravitated to him because somehow he made strangers feel like they'd known him forever. Even when he was sick, Jerry tailored a patchwork of text threads, songs, images and stories, weaving them into a quilt of comfort for those he loved. His worst regret about getting sick was the fact that it made people sad.

Jerry lived life to the absolute fullest and rarely said no to an invitation. He treasured times with friends and family and the numerous annual beach trips, baseball trips, and fishing trips. He attended more concerts and music festivals than he could keep track of and he was working on visiting all of the Virginia State Parks and many of our National Parks with his girls. He loved hosting people, grilling something delicious, pushing food and drink on his guests, and sending home leftovers.

He was a creature of habit and guardian of tradition, still a daily reader of the paper version of the Richmond Times Dispatch. He had a quirky rule for everything. He was sentimental to the core, saving everything for a purpose and the purpose was memories. He was always prepared for anything and had a cup, a glass, a mug, a coozie, a shirt, a rod, a hat, and a cooler for every occasion.

Jerry left us too soon, but he laughed and loved enough for 92 lifetimes and he will live on as the people he loved (and you know who you are) continue to gather together with food and drink, sing and dance at concerts, spend time on the river and at the beach, with every fish on the rod, every perfectly packed cooler, a VMI ring worn only with pants (and never with shorts), and Chinese food only during the week (and never on the weekend). He'd want us to hug each other long and hard and often, to crank the tunes, to light the grills and firepits, tell the stories, and make new memories. He'd want us to carry on and carry each other, just like he did.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to https://gofund.me/32d6b51b which will help support his family, and his daughters' future, or make a donation to Chesapeake Bay Foundation. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the fall, date and location to be determined soon. Please stay tuned.

Bliley's Funeral Home

3801 Augusta Ave.