James Robert Allen Jr.

Mr. James Robert “Bob” Allen, Jr., 66, of Marietta, GA, died Monday, March 10, 2014. He was born August 13, 1947 in Punxsutawney, PA as the first child to a young Navy nurse, Dorothy and Navy pilot, James Robert Allen, Sr. Little Bobby grew up to be an excellent older brother to his younger brother, Tom, who acted as his partner-in-crime, and to his two younger sisters, Candy and Janice, who he loved to tease mercilessly. He graduated as valedictorian of Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter, PA and attended both Susquehanna University and Pennsylvania State University, where he ultimately received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. As a young man, Bob was quite athletic, swimming competitively, running track, playing football and golf, and hunting through the back woods of Pennsylvania, particularly with his bow and arrow. After he started his career as a salesman in the transportation industry, or “trucking” as he affectionately called it, he moved south and befriended many people including his wife, Renae. With her, he had one daughter, Heather, of whom he was excessively proud. Bob was a devout Christian throughout his life, and very knowledgeable about his faith. He loved to teach Sunday school to all ages – 1st graders to adults, weaving funny stories and jokes into his lessons. Teaching came easily to Bob, because of his love of developing relationships with people, his intelligence and his quick wit. Whether teaching a child swim class, a Sunday school lesson, a “Trucking 101” course, or life lessons around the kitchen table, he was entertaining, funny and always relevant. He ended his career at Estes Express Lines, where he worked for the previous 20 years, as National Accounts Executive. Bob Allen was preceded in death by his father, Mr. James R. Allen Sr., brother, Mr. Thomas K. Allen, and sister, Ms. Janice Allen. He leaves behind his loving wife, Mrs. Renae K. Allen, daughter and son-in law, Mrs Heather A. and Dr. Nicholas J. Reish, mother, Mrs. Dorothy P. Allen, sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. Candice A. and Mr. Jack Mason, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held April 27, 2014, 1:00pm, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3455 Canton Rd., Marietta, GA, 30066. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bob to the Emory Transplant Center at 1440 Clifton Rd., Suite 170, Atlanta, GA, 30322.

Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, GA.