Arthur Pruitt Allen
Arthur Pruitt Allen was born on Dec. 10, 1927, near Marlin, in Falls County.
He attended school in Reagan and Blue Ridge public school in Falls County. He graduated from Marlin High School in 1946.
Arthur enlisted in the Regular Army after graduating from high school. He served with the First Calvary Division, Operations and Training/G3 and deployed over-seas with the Occupational Forces in Japan following World War II. After discharge from the Army he attended Baylor University majoring in Business and Education.
He started his career in the business field working for the J.C. Penny Company as a salesman and department head until he was offered an opportunity within the Texas National Guard.
In December 1948, he enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard and one year later he became a full-time guardsman and remained in an Active status with the Army National Guard until his retirement on Dec. 10, 1987.
During his military service he served in various enlisted ranks and was discharged as a Command Sergeant Major/E-9. During his assignments he completed various leadership schools including, the Army General School qualifying for a commissioned officer status; the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy; the Unit Organizational Supply Course; the Personnel Administration Course; Basic Airborne School; the German Airborne School; the Recruiting and Retention School and many other short military training schools.
He held various leadership positions including, Administrative Assistant; Unit Personnel Specialist; Recruiting and Retention Specialist; and other various positions related to organization and command activities. While deployed to Germany with the Guard, he attended the German Airborne School and became a Qualified Jumper of the German Airborne School completing five jumps with the German Army Forces.
He received many Federal and State Awards with Oak Leaf Clusters, Badges, and unit Citations during his distinguished career including the Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Reserve Components Achievement Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal-Japan; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon; Basic Airborne Badge; German Airborne Wings; Army Presidential Unit Citation; Long Star Distinguished Service Award; Texas Medal of Merit; Texas Federal Service Medial; Texas Faithful Service Medal; and the Texas National Guard Minute Man Award. Of all honors he received, the one he cherished the most is the Legion of Merit.
After his military retirement, he purchased and operated a coin operated laundry system for ten years; owned and rented houses; owned two Retail Stores downtown Marlin offering new mattresses, antiques, various used merchandize, and on occasions religious counseling.
He served on the Marlin City Council for six years and because of an anticipated move to Independence, Missouri, he did not run for re-election. In November 2001, he was asked and he accepted a request to be the Interim City Manager pending the hiring of a new manager. Following the hiring of a city manager, he continued to be active in city affairs by being a consultant. He was instrumental in completing the purchase of all property that the city was required to purchase for the Brushy Creek Lake. He served as the Mayor of Marlin for one year and resigned due to other personal commitments. He was again elected to serve on the City Council in May 2010.
He was a member of the Marlin Lions Club and served the club various positions including President; Vice President; and Chaplin. He also served several three-year periods as a Director.
He was a qualified Commercial Pilot and enjoyed flying. He enjoyed taking care of the routine maintenance around the house and just relaxing and doing nothing.
His religious background included serving in various positions within the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including the Presiding Elder of the Marlin Congregation Branch; Church Counselor; Treasurer; Bishops Agent; District president of the Central Texas District and the North East Texas District; and various boards. At time of his death, he was serving the Church as a High Priest and set apart as a Patriarch of the Church. He loved his ministerial duties. He placed God, Jesus Christ his Savior, first in his life, his family second, and his country next.
He married the former Billie Marie Smith of Marlin and were happily married for 48 years. She preceded him in death July 4, 2006. They had three children.
Survivors include William Charles and Cyndi of Austin, Michael Lynn and wife Linda of Leander, and Sharon Elaine Cantrell of Marlin; five grandchildren, Travis Huffman and Tracy Nicole Allen, Natalie Allen Ramsey, Sarah Cantrell Whitaker and husband Brady, and Kyle Cantrell; and five great-grandchildren, Kalob Sturgis, Samuel and Ellington Whitaker, and Preston and Alaina Ramsey.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles Commodore and Annie Laura Spicer Allen; one brother, Earl Rogers Allen; and three sisters, Vida Mann, Mildred Christine Feldman, and Maurine Drosche.
Survivors also include his wife, JoAnn Greensides Palmer Allen, whom he married on Feb. 8, 2011, at Sweetwater, Texas. He and JoAnn have a blended marriage with three children, Cathie Lieberum Plumb and husband Ray “Trey” Plumb III of Houston, Bobby Lieberum and wife Yvette of Houston, and Hilton Lieberum of Houston; six grandchildren, Ray “Bubby” Plumb, IV, Jody Plumb-Gonzalez, Robby, Matthew, and Jenny Lieberum, and Heather Schneider (deceased); and five great-grandchildren, Dylan Gonzalez, Dean and Brooklyn Lieberum, Christian, and Angelina.
He leaves a “host of friends” that assisted him in his journey through life. As Arthur puts it, “His Trail Drive.” He completed his “Trail Drive,” thus reaching “Trails End” on Dec. 11, 2019, at 7:11 a.m., the day after his 92d birthday.