Allen Vernon Birmingham Jr., 70, of Dallas, TX passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on July 21st, 2020 in Dallas surrounded by his family. Allen was born on November 1, 1949 in Fort Worth, Texas to Helene St. John and Allen Birmingham Senior. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas where he graduated in 1968 and met the love of his life and future wife, Becky. Allen married his soulmate in 1970 and over the past 50 years, their life together served as the perfect example of what a marriage should be for their ever-expanding family. They would always finish each other’s sentences and could read each other’s minds. We’ve all heard the saying “Love is patient, love is kind...and it keeps no records of wrongs”. If you were to substitute Allen’s name for “love”, it would fit perfectly to detail the love he showed Becky. With their example, their four children grew up witnessing what a happy and loving home and couple looks like, and for that, they will always be grateful. Allen attended The University of Texas at Austin where he earned a BBA in Marketing in 1972. He was a lifetime member of Texas Exes and had the honor of being a Silver Spur in 1970. He was also an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Following graduation, Allen embarked upon a 50-year career in commercial real estate. He cut his teeth under the tutelage of Herb Weitzman, initially at Henry S. Miller and then at The Weitzman Group, amongst a distinguished class of entrepreneurs who helped build and shape the DFW retail brokerage and development landscape. After splitting off and navigating the S&L crisis, the majority of his career was spent successfully developing, leasing, and managing his retail real estate portfolio under the Birmingham Management Inc. (BMI) banner. Although the majority of his career was spent working solo from his BMI office in Preston Center, Allen still managed to positively influence, shape and guide both the careers and lives of countless others he encountered along the way. Allen, also known as “Big Al” by most that knew and loved him, was often described as LARGER THAN LIFE. His personality and positive attitude were undeniable and contagious. He walked in a room and the party started. He never knew a stranger and was often found making peoples’ day with his big and selfless heart. Be it a brief encounter on an office elevator ride, alongside him in the St. Monica pews every Sunday, an evening of scotch, steaks and cigars, or hanging out in the Birmingham pool with family and friends. He had a unique gift to inspire, motivate, and encourage all he encountered. Big Al was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and all around man. All that knew him are better for it and he will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Allen’s greatest pride was in his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. Allen was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary Helene and Allen Vernon. Allen is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart of 50 years, Becky Birmingham, his son Allen Birmingham III, his three daughters Kelly Raney, Courtney Mayberry, and Lindsey Elliott, his son-in-law’s Lee Raney, Kenneth Mayberry, and John Elliott, his twelve grandchildren
Allen Birmingham IV; Chris, Kate, and Charlie Raney; Hannah, Margot, Ella, and Wyatt Mayberry; Nolan, Blakely, Knox, and Sloane Elliott; his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Paul Norton, and many, many, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be: Allen Birmingham III, Allen Birmingham IV, Kenneth Mayberry, Lee Raney, Chris Raney, John Elliott, Ryan Smith, and Aaron Smith
A visitation will be held at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, July 28th followed by a 10:00 AM funeral service at St. Monica Catholic Church (9933 Midway Road in Dallas). Along with Allen's funeral service, those who can’t make it can watch online by clicking this link at the time of the service:
http://www.youtube.com/c/stmonicacatholicchurch
The family wishes memorial contributions be made to:
Pathway Hospice
1021 Hampshire Lane
Richardson, TX 75080
214-377-9377
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