Louis "Jack" Allen

Jack enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. He was a veteran of both WW II and the Korean War. As a naval photographer, he witnessed many historical events through the lens of a camera. Of the more notable events, he took reconnaissance photos during the Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs and he served as the lead photographer when the USS INTREPID recovered the first Gemini two-man space capsule. His Gemini photos appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine. He retired to Lufkin after 22 years of service in the Navy and opened Photo World Photography, which he owned and operated for 15 years, retiring again in 1981.

Jack loved to travel. He spent time traveling through all 50 states just to enjoy the beautiful country that he loved so much. In his spare time, he converted Silver Eagle motor coaches into luxury motor homes. He was a member of the Bible Survey Class at Denman Avenue Baptist Church.

Jack is survived by his wife, Lou Allen of Lufkin; daughter, Linda Murray and her husband Brad of Keller, TX; son, Jimmie Allen and his wife Annie of Sequin, TX; son, Larry Allen of Tarpley, TX; and daughter, Martha Miles and her husband David of Lufkin, TX; grandchildren, Dr. Tonya Ferguson, Casey Millspaugh, Brian Phelps, Keith Phelps, Kristy Fancher, Amy Landon, Whitney Allen, Pari Allen, Caitlin Allen, Rene Rangel, Nicollette Gibson and Brandon Gibson; a very special great-grandson, Kayden Ferguson; 5 other great-grandchildren; and niece, Barbara Allen of Wooster, Ohio.

Mr. Allen is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

Services for Mr. Allen will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Denman Avenue Baptist Church with Bro. Charles Roberts officiating.

The Bible Survey Class will serve as honorary attendants.

The family will receive friends at 2:00 p.m., August 28, 2011 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Allen's memory may be made to Denman Avenue Baptist Church Youth Scholarship Fund, 1807 E. Denman Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home