Paul David Allen

A celebration of the life of Paul David Allen will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with Brother Bill Collins and Chaplain Lt. Colonel David Smelser officiating. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery.

Mr. Allen, 78, went to be with his Lord on January 28 at his home.

Born in Perkins, OK to the late Joseph W. and Pauline Rothhammer Allen, and reared in Carthage, TX, Paul was a graduate of Carthage High School. He resided in Newton, MS before moving to Meridian some 50 years ago. He was a faithful member of the Meridian church of Christ, daily volunteering his time in the church office, and filling the pulpit of local and neighboring congregations as needed. Paul was a man of integrity, strong character and uncompromising loyalty to God’s standard of right and wrong.

Paul was a 28 year military veteran, having entered the Medical Corp of the U.S. Army in 1961, the same year he began proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, being ordained in 1963. After his return from a tour of duty in Germany, he joined the local MS Army National Guard and took a job in nursing at Anderson Hospital. It was there that he met the one he would marry, Nell Copeland. He had always said it was “love at first sight” for him. When Nell was dismissed from the hospital, he regularly visited his former patient at her home. He insisted that “his car had a mind of its own and kept taking him to her home on 47th Avenue.” Paul became a good friend to Nell and her parents, Alfred and Mae, who loved Paul dearly. Paul and Nell were married in 1966. Their children, Lori and Mark, were born in 1968 and 1974. From day one, Paul was a doting dad who would wake up a sleeping baby just to rock them back to sleep again. If one of the children awoke in the night afraid and wanting to snuggle in their parents bed, both kids knew to go to Daddy’s side of the bed, as he would always quietly ease them in beside him. It was Daddy who slept nights with them up in the treehouse, it was Daddy who wanted, and got, the swimming pool for the family, and it was Daddy who would accelerate the gas pedal on the hills of 20th Street to give them a thrill. It mattered not if it were only a half hour before meal time, he never questioned the wisdom of filling them with ice cream, Coca-Cola and candy. At the same time, he was a faithful dad who, with their mom, instilled in each child faith in God, honesty, modesty, and a strong work ethic.

He officiated at the wedding ceremonies for both of his children, for his granddaughters, Stacey and Amber, and for other family members, as well as numerous others in his life.

As the grandfather of eight, plus two great-granddaughters, Paul believed that children were created to be spoiled and he did his part in making that happen. He delighted in feeding them chocolate ice cream for breakfast and watermelon for dinner. He had the exceptional talent of “talking” like Donald Duck, much to the grins of the young ones. Chauffeuring the “grans” in the wagon behind his lawn mower brought many excited squeals for all. Cheering each one on, Papa attended his share of football and soccer games, band and drum major events, choral performances, school dramas, and Grandparents’ Day at their schools and graduations, kindergarten through college. Once, he was pressuring his doctor that he must be well enough to travel as he could not miss his grandson’s graduation. The caring doctor inquired if it were high school or college, to which Papa proudly boasted, “it’s kindergarten!” He adored each one, and each equally adored him. They knew they had their Papa tightly wrapped around their little fingers.

Both a hardcore military man and at the same time, a very gentle, caring family man, Nell’s Aunt Doris lovingly described him as a big “teddy bear.” A devoted husband, Paul enjoyed doing things together with Nell. Often, they would stroll in their backyard and lay in their hammocks watching wildlife up close. They would also explore God’s Word, work the polls, care for their rental properties, and spend quality time with their children, grandchildren and great-grans.

Paul and Nell traveled the world together, often several weeks at a time, throughout our “America, the Beautiful” covering most of our National Parks and exploring sites in 47 of 50 states. Tannehill State Park was always a favorite getaway. Road trips also found them traveling deep into Mexico and throughout many of Canada’s provinces, from Alberta to Nova Scotia and beyond. They also enjoyed cruising the waters of the Caribbean into Central America.

After retirement, he especially enjoyed taking “Space A” flights with the military. Paul took Nell to Alaska, Hawaii and many European countries, including their last trip, celebrating their 50th anniversary, in early 2016 to Spain, Gibralter, and Morocco, Africa. These trips allowed them to do extraordinary things together. They have landed atop a glacier, sled in the Alps, and toured many castles and cathedrals. They have cruised the Rhine River through Germany, the Seine through Paris and the Zaans through Holland. Paul was particularly touched by sites like Hitler’s Kehlsteinhaus and Dachau Concentration Camp. He and Nell paid respect to the fallen which are honored at Omaha Beach, Normandy France, to those buried at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Oahu, and to those lost at Pearl Harbor. Paul was honored at that memorial by being asked to raise our American flag over the USS Arizona.

If you never heard Paul whistle a tune, you missed a treat. He could beautifully whistle just about any song around, a favorite being “Over the Rainbow”. And he could imitate any bird’s chirp. Once he accompanied Nell through a bird sanctuary. To Nell’s disappointment, there was not a single bird to be seen or heard, so Paul came to the rescue and began chirping songs of different birds. Those on the trail just in front of them began stretching their necks toward the trees and they returned to tell how many different birds they had heard in the sanctuary. In earlier years, Paul loved to sing high tenor at church. Often after services, visitors in nearby pews would compliment Nell on what a beautiful voice she had. Sometimes she corrected them that it was her husband they heard; other times, she just warmly said “thank you”.

Paul loved children and through the years he delighted in handing out candy to those at church. Since 1969, one of his greatest joys was playing the role of Santa. His professional career began in 1973 and continued throughout the years at numerous businesses within the area, including Village Fair Mall followed by Bonita Lakes Mall. These many years of playing Santa allowed him to see parents, who were once kids sitting on his lap for a photo, now bringing their own children and grandchildren for a photo with “this Santa”. He brought smiles to many churches and social events, nursing homes, and children’s events. He was the star attraction of many a Christmas Parade in Meridian and Newton. He once emceed a children’s pageant and as Santa he performed a wedding ceremony in the center of our local mall. He often earned spots on TV, as well as numerous photos and articles in local newspapers and magazines. He delighted in calling an unsuspecting person by their name as they passed by his setting. He put smiles on the faces of kids of all ages, from 2 weeks to 90 years old. Knowing he brought the wonder of imagination and the magic of laughter and love into the lives of so many always kept the twinkle in his eye. He was convinced that dreams are truly more powerful than reality. Santa always made sure he had special time for his children and grandchildren, making many special home visits.

Paul volunteered his time as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary U.S. Air Force. He served as chaplain of the local unit since 1978 and served as MS Wing Chaplain 2001-2003. While the C.A.P. builds aerospace leaders and supports search and rescue missions, his work focused on developing character and moral leadership in the members, especially the cadets. He had a calling for work with teenagers, always joining the cadets at their campsite for the many weekends of Field Training Exercises. He served as Chaplain for Mississippi-Alabama Encampments 2010-2014, as well as numerous prior years. Twice he was honored to be named Chaplain of the Year for the Mississippi Wing, and was an honored recipient of the Commander’s Commendation Award for the years 1998-2014. Through the years, he was passionate about attending the Southeastern Chaplains’ Conference as often as possible. In May of 2012, at the request of Cadet Tyler L. Todd, the American flag was flown over the Cadet Area of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in Paul’s honor for his “unwavering support and encouragement”. It was subsequently presented to him by Todd at that year’s Cadet Encampment. In a similar way Paul has impacted the lives of countless young men and young ladies through the years.

In addition to his military career, Paul worked security for many ears, as well as sales in the automotive business. He was a former member of the Sheriff’s Reserve and Police Auxiliary, together serving them as Chaplain for ten years. He was a member of NRA and the American Legion.

In the beginning, Paul loved and cared for Nell and nursed her throughout her illness. All these years later, Nell tenderly cared for Paul through two heart attacks, brain surgery, a major fall from a ladder, a fall from the roof, a serious spinal cord injuring in 2016, and his subsequent battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Neldean “Nell” Allen; daughter, Lori (Leo III) Caire, of McComb, MS and son, Mark (Tiffany) Allen, of Albany, GA; the pride of his life, his grandchildren, Stacey (Rodney) Naquin, Leo IV, Madison, Seth, and Cole Caire, and Amber (Kaleb) Price, Zachary and Angelina Allen; great-granddaughters, Adalyn and Ruby Naquin; sister, Fay (Ed) White, of Tuscumbia, AL and Melva Manning of Dallas, TX; brother, Clarence (Sandra) of Newton, MS; sister-in-law, Martha Allen, of Orange, TX and brother-in-law, Glen Copeland, of Meridian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Pauline Rothhammer Allen; sister, Betty Thompson and brother, Charles Allen.

The family requests memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 4830 McWillie Circle, Jackson, MS 39206 or the American Cancer Association, 8351 County Road 514, Meridian, MS 39301.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held from 12:30p.m.-2:00p.m. prior to service at the funeral home.