Mr. John "Johnny" Roy Allen Jr.

He was born on March 5, 1940 in Houston, Texas to John R Allen Sr. and Leona Virginia May (Miller) Allen. He grew up in Southside Place attending West University Elementary, Pershing Junior High and Lamar High School from which he graduated in May 1958. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, Texas Wesleyan University and the University of Houston studying Mathematics.

On December 19, 1961 he married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Carolyn Dee Hoeflich, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Houston. Happily married for 59 years, together they raised three children. His days were filled with coaching Little League, taking the family on hunting and fishing trips, attending countless school sporting and theatre events, graduations, weddings and celebrating the birth of each of the grandchildren.

Their busy lives were overflowing with fun times shared with others, talking and laughing with an Old Milwaukee beer in hand and a smile so big it crinkled his eyes shut. In fact, whether at home or travelling the globe, Johnny’s happiest times were when he was in the company of family and friends. In his 70’s, he became a big fan of Facebook because it made it so much easier for him to “keep in touch with folks”.

After joining Foster Wheeler Corporation in 1966 as a piping draftsman, Johnny spent 50 years in the petrochemical industry working for Foster Wheeler, ABB Lummus, Worley Parsons, and Bechtel among others. Although always based in Houston, his position as a Piping Supervisor gave him the opportunity to work in different places both domestically and internationally including Toronto, Canada; Caracas, Venezuela; Sao Palo, Brazil and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He finally retired (for the 3rd time) in 2015 at age 75.

While living and working in Houston, Johnny volunteered with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 47 years, long enough to earn the distinction of Life Member. During that time, he served in the Astrodome’s Corral Committeeman’s Club which became the Director’s Club when the rodeo moved to Reliant Stadium. He joined the Hold’Em and Hit’Em Club in 2000, forming lifelong friendships and serving as their Picture Director for the membership directory for many years.

It was through the rodeo that Johnny and Carolyn met the group of friends who would become their “travel pals”. It all started with an Alaskan cruise in 2004. Highlights of the trip include a great view of Mt. McKinley from the train (very unusual), seeing their first moose (2000 yards away), drinking Old Ice Axe beer (sold only in Alaska) and taking pictures at the Alaskan pipeline. Before that trip even ended, they were starting to talk about where they would go next. Traveling (usually) via cruise ship, this lively band shared many memorable, often hilarious, adventures in some truly remarkable places. They photographed flora and fauna in the Galápagos Islands, cruised thru the Panama Canal at Christmas, braved the freezing rain to stand at Nordkapp in Norway, attended the Military Tattoo in Scotland and stood in awe as hundreds of colorful balloons ascended into the morning sky at the Santa Fe Hot Air Balloon Festival. Johnny was not a trip planner but he was always game for any new adventure.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Carolyn Dee; their three children: John R Allen III and his wife, Betty Ward of Bristow,OK; Joanne Terrell and her husband, John of Southlake,TX; and Austin Allen and his wife, Diane of Plano,TX. He loved spending time with his eight grandchildren including Wesley Allen, Cassandra (Cassie) Allen (husband Alex Dunsford), Genevieve Allen, Jacob Terrell, Daniel Allen, Hayley Allen, Jonathan Allen and Jordan Terrell. Johnny is also survived by his sisters, Marjean Morton (husband Gene) and Judith Allen (partner Leila Gard). Included in the long list of his loved ones are in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to count.

He was a loving, generous, hardworking, gentle man who will be missed by all those blessed to have known him.

Due to the current circumstances, a private family funeral will be held Friday, May 8 at 2pm at J.E. Foust and Sons Funeral Home in Grapevine.

A Celebration of Life event will be held for family and friends in Houston in the coming months.

Please share any special memories you have of Johnny which might be shared publicly during the service.

A Celebration of Life will be 2:00pm, Friday, May 8, 2020 at Foust and Son Funeral Home.