JERRY ALLEN May 19, 1929 – March 29, 2022
Jerry Eugene Allen passed away at home on March 29, 2022, at the age of 92.
He was born May 19, 1929, in Merkel, Texas to Pickens Euell Allen and Dorothy Mae Higgins Allen, lovingly known as “Pick” and “Chick”. Jerry lived with his family in Merkel, Abilene, and San Angelo, Texas where he graduated from San Angelo High School in 1946.
He moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1947, when his father accepted a job with the Los Alamos Fire Department. Jerry used to say when they left Texas, they didn’t know where they were headed, as they had never heard of Los Alamos.
Jerry served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1954, was stationed in Germany and France and honorably discharged from the Air Force with a rank of Airman 1st Class. He returned to Los Alamos working briefly with the Los Alamos Fire Department before joining the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in 1955 where he worked until his retirement in 1990. While at LANL, Jerry was involved extensively with the Weapons Test Program conducting research and travelling to the Nevada Test Site.
Upon retirement Jerry lived briefly in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Denver, with his wife Phyllis until building their beautiful home in Corrales, New Mexico. Jerry was proud to be a 32nd Degree Mason. He loved cigars, square dancing, ocean cruises, reading and playing dominoes with friends and family. He made a great pancake breakfast. During hummingbird season in Corrales, he could have up to 35 feeders and probably changed the hummingbird ecosystem in the valley. The hummingbirds will surely miss him.
The greatest joys of his life were his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren who affectionately called him “Papa Jerry”. He was so proud of them all.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Phyllis Pompeo Allen; his daughter and sons, Bridget Swahlen (Tom), Paul Allen (Kelli), Scott Allen (Julie), their mother Devaun Allen, and his stepson Larry Luna (Rachelle); his grandchildren – Jason Swahlen (Seantelle), Kevin Swahlen (Blake), Michael Swahlen, Jaymi Allen, Kaysi Allen, TJ Allen (Julia), Lisa Luna, Leigh Luna, and Glynna Shamblin (James); his great-grandchildren – Wesley, Travis, Drake, Savannah, and Kiley; as well as all of his loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. We can’t forget Jerry and Phyllis’ sweet cat Lucy.
Jerry is preceded in death by his father and mother, his sisters Nancy Hutto (Joe) and Dale Sanford (Charlie), son Keith and stepson Leroy.
We would like to thank all the medical staff, especially Dr. Alyson Thal, and the Visiting Angels for all their care and support.
A memorial for Jerry will be held at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE, Albuquerque, NM. Internment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Disabled American Veterans and/or Wreaths Across America in Jerry’s name.
