James R Allen

A funeral service for James Rollin “Jimmy Wildcat” Allen of Norwich, OH will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Farus Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Bethel United Methodist Church.

Jim passed away on August 13, 2015 at the age of 89. He was born in Norwich, Ohio on December 14, 1925 to Rollin A. and Katherine F. Allen.

He graduated from New Concord High School where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. He then attended Muskingum College and played as a half back- quarterback under Coach Ed Sherman. Jim left college before graduation to honorably serve in the United States Navy during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific. He resumed college after he was discharged and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Education.

Jim began his teaching and coaching career at Dennison High School in 1948. In 1952 he found his home at Newark High School teaching History, Physical Education and coaching football and basketball. In 1962 he became the Athletic Director and remained in that position until his retirement in 1982. His contributions were celebrated with a “Jim Allen Day” in Newark and Licking County and the Newark High School gymnasium was renamed the “Jim Allen Gymnasium” in his honor.

Sports were not Jim’s first love, however. As soon as he returned from his service in WWII Jim married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Doris Finley. They raised two children with a passion for service, education and sports. They would have been celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on August 29, 2015.

Jim served as a Master Mason at the Malta Masonic Lodge, was a member of the Aladdin Temple Shrine Club, the Laura Chapter of the Eastern Star and Sons of the American Revolution. Jim enjoyed living at the family’s 1882 farm where he was content to manicure their park-like setting and hunt. He spent many vacations visiting historical sites and researching genealogy.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Phil F. Allen, his sister Betty A. Van Reeth and his children Katherine A. “Kathy” Gerber and James P. “Phil” Allen.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Doris; his daughter-in-law, Pam Allen; grandson, Ryan (Jennifer) Gerber and his children Harland and Hadleigh; granddaughter, Natalee (Rick) Johnson and her son Caleb; grandson, Rory Gerber and his son Keegan; granddaughter, Sarah (Derek) Allen-Hageman and her children Ian and Sophia; sister-in-law, Anita Allen; sister-in-law, Bernie Litt; brother-in-law, Al (Susan) Finley; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio, 1379 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215, Genesis Hospice, 713 Forest Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701, or the Newark Boosters, 621 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, OH 43055

Friends and family may attend calling hours on Monday August 17th, 2015 at the Farus Funeral Home, 63 W Main St., New Concord, OH, 43762 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., with a Masonic Funeral Service at 5:30 p.m., and on Tuesday August 18th, 2015 from 10-11 a.m.   Services will begin promptly at 11AM, and burial will be held at the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

http://www.farusfh.com/