Allan Craig Poindexter

Allan Craig Poindexter passed away on October 26, 2023, in Houston, TX after a long and arduous battle with health issues. He was born on February 26, 1958, in Galveston, Texas, to Craig Poindexter and Julia Ann Hagood Poindexter.

His younger years were primarily spent in Arlington, TX. He moved on to Sherman, TX, receiving a BA from Austin College.One of his roommates affectionately described him as a quiet room-dweller. He loved to read and learn, and to discuss and debate theology and other topics. He was an early fan of Dungeons & Dragons and enjoyed video games as they advanced in later years. He had a wide breadth of knowledge of many subjects, which is why his friends found it impossible to beat him at Trivial Pursuit. After AC, he went on to get a master’s degree in mathematical science from the University of Texas at Dallas. Using this education, he worked for Texas Instruments and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in New Mexico.

Allan shared a birth date and place of birth with the fictional Sheldon Cooper, a character who could have been partly based on Allan (according to Allan, and supported by observation). When asked what kind of work he did, he would say that he could tell us, but we wouldn’t understand, and he was right! One thing he did not share with Sheldon: Allan knew how to laugh. No small chuckles for him; he produced a loud, long uncontrollable cackle that ultimately sent him rolling on the floor and people running to see what happened. He also enjoyed many long nights of gaming with his friends.

He was diagnosed with an autoimmune kidney disease, which he fought most of his life, finally going on dialysis several years ago after having a major stroke. Those who took the time to hear him discovered he still had that witty, dry sense of humor along with a vast store of knowledge and deep insights. This year, after extensive work on his part to meet criteria, he finally received a kidney transplant and was able to get off dialysis for a while, which was a great joy for him. Unfortunately, complications from the transplant caught up with him.

He is survived by his brother Mark Poindexter (and Heather Kretzschmar) of Austin, TX, and sister Cindy Tarver (and Bill) of Friendswood, TX,, along with beloved nephew Matthew Tarver and niece Laura Tarver. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

Donations in his memory can be sent to a charity of your choice. One to consider is the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org)

Celebration of Life service will be held at noon on November 17th, at Weed Corley Fish funeral home, 2620 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX, followed by graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery Annex.