Obituary of Gerard Allen

Gerard Allen, age 87, of Idabel went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 11, 2008. He was born on April 2, 1921 in the Bronx New York City, the son of Samuel Henry and Minnie Quito Allen. Gerard married Alice Epperson on November 8, 1944. Gerard entered the military in 1939 serving in the 258th field artillery. He transferred to the Army Air Corps after taking an exam. In 1940 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt Bombardier, Navigator. He trained with combat crews in B-24’s, then B-17’s and was assigned Primary Duty Navigator on the First B-29. Gerard was assigned as an instructor and checked out future crews to qualify them for combat assignment. He separated from the service in 1946 but remained in the reserves, where he was Commander of the Idabel Reserve A.D.A. Battery 95th division. Gerard attended Command and General Staff College in 1969 graduating in 1973 with the rank of Lt. Colonel; he retired with over 30 years of service. Gerard went to work for PSO in June of 1953 as a meter reader. He was promoted to Storekeeper, Area Accounting Manager, Area Sales Manager, District Manager at Hugo and transferred to Idabel as District Manager in 1976. Gerard retired on January 1, 1984. He was very active in little theatres in Hugo and Idabel. He appeared in the production “The Odd Couple” playing the role of “Oscar” three times. He played the lead role in “Its Never Too Late”; and also played roles in “Charlie”, “Paint your Wagon”, “1776”, “Camelot”, “Fantastics” as well as several others. Gerard was very active in his community. He was a member of the original 100 to support the vote to establish the Higher Learning Center, was a member of their Foundation Board since it’s inception, serving three terms as Chairman, lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW, member of the Board of Trustees of McCurtain County Veterans Museum, Member and former President of Hugo and Idabel Rotary Clubs, former President of Idabel Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors Little Dixie Community Action Agency, and served three terms as State Legislature Representative for AARP. Gerard was a devoted Christian and had a desire for people to be saved. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Idabel, was an ordained Deacon, and served several years as Sunday School Superintendant. He was also a Board Member of the Golden Age Baptist Home, and was a member of the McCurtain Camp of the Gideon’s International. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gerard Michael Allen; an infant Gerard Jr.; and a nephew, Arthur Allen. Gerard is survived by his wife, Alice of Idabel; son and daughter-in-law, Gordon and Peggy Allen of Holdenville; daughter-in-law, Donna Allen Dollarhide; grandchildren and spouses, Patrick and Diane Allen of Oklahoma City, Joshua and Rondi Allen of Lewisville, Texas, and Lorrianne Allen of Oklahoma City; great-grandchildren, Bailey Allen, Parker Allen, and Carter Allen all of Lewisville, Texas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Ellen Epperson of the Cisco Community; nephews, Richard Allen, Jay Allen, and Gary Allen; several other relatives and many many friends. In lieu of flowers honorariums can be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 623, Idabel, OK 74745 or the First Baptist Church in Idabel.