William James “Jim” Allen, 77, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away on November 30, 2018 at the North Pinellas Hospice Care Center in Palm Harbor, Florida after fighting a battle of COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born in 1941 in Detroit Michigan.
He met his late wife Pat at her home after Christmas 1968. It was truly love at first sight and they eloped 6 months later in Pennsylvania. They recently just celebrated 49 years of marriage this past June.
Jim and Pat resided in Florida until Jim reenlisted in the Army in 1972. He retired after serving 21 years in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant. From there he went into security and owned his own cleaning business. In 1986, he went to work for the US Post Office and retired in 2003.
Jim and Pat were stationed in Germany for 6 years and it was during their time there that both Jim and Pat discovered a love for Europe. It was also where they welcomed their son William J Allen Jr. They move back to Florida in 1980 and they have been in Florida ever since.
Currently he served as the VFW Senior Vice Commander in Jasper, FL; was a deacon of 20-plus years at the First Christian Church of Clearwater, where he has been in member since 1986; was a member of the Moose Lodge in South Carolina; a member of Lake Tarpon Veterans Organization; a life member of NCOA; and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a regular at “Bob’s Vets”.
He has a love for his family, faith, and for his country. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran. Jim loved his family and really enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. His favorite holiday was always Christmas.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, mother Selina Fraleigh and father Robert Allen and step father Charles Harding. He is survived by his son, William J Allen Jr. and his wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Tyler and Bradley Allen; sister, Patti Rooks and her husband Rick; sister, Madeline Hansen and her husband Daniel; and many nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews and many friends.
A time of Visitation has been scheduled for 9:00AM on Monday, December 10, 2018 at the First Christian Church, 2299 Drew Street, Clearwater, Florida 33765. Immediately following at 10:00AM, a Memorial Service with Military Honors will conducted. There will be a Committal Service held at 2:00PM at Florida National Cemetery, 6508 S 102nd Ave, Bushnell, Florida. Following the Committal Service, Jim will be interred with his beloved wife Pat, who passed away in August of this year.
I will miss Jim Allen. I met him at Bobs Vets. He loved his country and his veteran friends. He enjoyed connecting new people at the breakfasts. He did that for me. He always was happy to see you and that was also true with me. May God bless the memory of Jim & Pat Allen. They will not be forgotten.
My late wife, Josie, and I met Jim and Pat in Germany in 1977. We have never had better friends. Now you are together again. Rest in peace.
“If you are a vet…you are my brother…if you are a COMBAT vet you are my BLOOD brother” In 2003 we met Jim and Pat. We were the ones who were blessed to know them…I will miss my “BLOOD brother”…we will miss them both..Prayers your way…Bill and Jeanie