Keith Allred

Visitation for Jodie Keith Allred, age 85, is scheduled for Friday, July 5, 2024, at Gipson Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 2pm at Gipson Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Cowart officiating and burial following in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. Allred died after a brief illness on June 30, 2024, in Huntington, Texas. He was born October 18, 1938, in Nacogdoches, Texas, the first son of J.S. and Aliece Holland Allred.

Mr. Allred worked as a newspaper editor and writer for almost 30 years for "The Lufkin News”, “The Abilene Reporter-News” and the “Orange Leader.” He changed careers in 1986 and taught English and journalism for the next 18 years, four at Broaddus High School and 14 at Central High School. He had eight journalism state finalists at the Austin UIL meet during eight consecutive years, in addition to numerous regional finalists. He was a member of several journalism associations.

He was a long-time member of Lufkin's First Baptist Church, becoming a Christian in eighth grade while Dr. J.M. Bradford was pastor.

Mr. Allred was a former member of the Lufkin Host Lions Club, for which he produced a monthly newsletter. He also wrote for the SFA Pine Log and The Fort Riley Post.

He served for two years in the U.S. Army, first at Fort Carson, Colorado, then at Fort Riley, Kansas, reaching the rank of E-5 as he served during the early days of the Vietnam conflict and during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Mr. Allred held two degrees from Stephen F. Austin, a bachelor's degree which qualified him to teach English and French, and a master's degree. He also earned his credentials to teach journalism and English as a second language.

He was a baseball manager for 13 years, primarily for 10 - 12-year-olds in the East Side Junior League. It was at his suggestion that Bill Windsor decided to link Lufkin's youth baseball program to Dixie Baseball.

After retirement, he devoted much of his time to genealogy, researching mainly his Allred,

DeLoney, and Holland ancestors. He served as vice-president of the Angelina County Genealogical Society for two years. He was a member of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society and a former member of the Nacogdoches Genealogical Society. Mr. Allred edited “Echoes Through the Pines”, the Angelina County Genealogical Society newsletter, which won an award from Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society in 2017.

Mr. Allred married three times, first to Gloria Ann Stringer, a native of Lufkin with whom he shared two daughters and a son during their 22 years together. Then he and Jeannie Hohimer, a native of Springfield, Illinois, were married for 11 years. He married Rebecca Weeks Allred of Huntington in April 2022.

Survivors include wife Rebecca Weeks Allred; children Amanda Allred Kunzman and husband Adam of Allen, Jodi Allred Mitchell and husband Gary of Bulverde, Stephen Allred and wife Jennifer of Houston; brothers, Mack Allred of Kingwood, and Gene Allred of Katy; grandchildren, Brooke Marshall and husband Brandon of Bulverde, Lauren Kunze and husband David of Houston; Ryan King and husband Ian of Schertz, Marisa Kunzman of Allen; Haley Calvert of Houston, Kaitlin Wren and husband Saje of Selma, Brandon Mitchell of Conroe, Haden Calvert and wife Mariah, of Houston, Nathan Mitchell of Magnolia, Alaina Kunzman and Juliana Kunzman both of Allen; Brian Allred and Natalie Allred, both of Houston, 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, special friend, Travis Ainsworth, and special grandson, Haden Hogue.

Mr. Allred was preceded in death by his parents, J.S. and Aliece Allred, his brother Dene Allred, and grandson Dmitry Kunzman.

The family would like to express appreciation to Harbor Hospice for their care during Mr. Allred’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Harbor Hospice or Joe W. Elliott Hospitality House.