John Marvin Allen

August 6, 1940 - January 26, 2017

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Republican, John M. Allen, died January 26, 2017 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, at the age of 76. John was born in Hoxie, Arkansas on August 6, 1940 to the late Thomas and Juanita (Moore) Allen. He graduated from Hoxie High School, served a 6 month tour with the Arkansas National Guard, and attended Arkansas College and Arkansas State University. John married Elaine (Marine) Allen on May 23, 1963; they were married 53 years and had three children: Andy, Andrea, and Matt. A devoted Republican, John served as Chairman of the Lawrence County Republican Committee for 16 years, 4 years as the 1st District Chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas and delegate to the Republican National Convention 6 times. He also served as Arkansas Co-Chairman of the 1980 Reagan for President Campaign, President-Elect George H.W. Bush’s Steering Committee, and Campaign Manager for a Gubernatorial Campaign and Congressional Campaign. John also served our nation, state and community as State Director, USDA-Rural Development; Director, Arkansas Assessment Coordination Department; Member, The National Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel commissioned by Congress; Chairman, Arkansas Transportation Commission; Board Member, Northeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority; Board Chairman, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Alderman, Hoxie City Council; President, Walnut Ridge Jaycees; President, East Lawrence County Lions Club, and Board Member, The Children’s Shelter. John owned Twin City Agency (Real Estate and Insurance) as well as The Capitol Restaurant in Walnut Ridge. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Allen of Hoxie, Arkansas; three children, Andy Allen, Andrea Allen, (both of Jonesboro) and Matt (Chrissy) Allen of Rogers, Arkansas. He has three grandchildren; Anna, Hayden and Ella. Also, surviving is his brother, Tom Allen of Hoxie, brother-in-law, Ralph (Carol) Marine of Mount Airy, Maryland, two aunts, Jeannie (Moore Smith) of Hoxie and Jimmye (Moore) Long of Jonesboro, and many other family members. John was a life-long member of Hoxie United Methodist Church where he served as a Lay Leader, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and member of the Board. A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Hoxie on Monday, January 30th at 4:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to The Children’s Shelter, 107 Benson Drive, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas 72476, or the Hoxie First United Methodist Church, 318 SW Broad Street, Hoxie, Arkansas 72433. Online Registry www.bryanfh.com