Obituary

James W. Allen
(December 22, 1924 - August 4, 2011)

James W. "Dink" Allen Sr., 86, of Barboursville, WV, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2011, at St. Mary's Medical Center, Huntington. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2011 at Barboursville First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Judy Fisher officiating. He was born December 22, 1924, in Barboursville, WV, a son of the late Edley and Eula Allen. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II on the USS Blue Ridge. He graduated from Barboursville High School in 1943 and from Marshall University in 1950, where he played football under Cam Henderson. Allen served as head football coach at Barboursville High School from 1964 until 1985 when he retired with over 30 plus years as an educator and a coach in Mingo, Wayne, and Cabell Counties. His legacy will be remembered by the many loyal Pirate's players and their families who have meant so much to the Allen family over the past years. He was a member of Barboursville First United Methodist Church and a Kentucky Colonel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Garland Allen, Drury Allen, Edward Allen, Gene Allen, and John Allen; and one sister, Rebekah Cyrus. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Jean Hunter Allen, one daughter, Rebecca Jean Baldwin and her husband Thomas Baldwin; one son, James W. Allen Jr. and his wife, Jacqueline Kay Allen; grandchildren, Hunter Baldwin, Zachary Baldwin, Taylor Allen, and MacKenzie Allen; two sisters, June Meadows of Barboursville, WV and Betty Dees, of Gainesville, Florida; one brother, William Allen of Homosassa, Florida; and his life-long companion, Zorro, his Pomeranian. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2011, at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.