Allen
Thomas Ray Allen
September 25, 1941 ~ December 31, 2022
Thomas Ray Allen, age 81, of Kempner, Texas passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022, surrounded by family. Tom was born on September 25, 1941 in Woodsboro, Texas to parents William Edgar Allen and Leona (Fehlis) Allen.
Tom was a graduate of the University of North Texas and Harding School of Theology. He was first and foremost a minister of the Gospel for over fifty years, preaching for congregations in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. In 1981, he moved the family back to Texas and preached for the Copperas Cove Church of Christ from then until 2001. After that time, he served as an elder and pulpit minister as needed, preaching his last sermon on December 18th, 2022.
In the summer of 1986, Tom was hired by Central Texas College as an adjunct professor to teach New and Old Testament courses. Instructing those first two classes eventually led to a full-time position, providing 25 years of teaching Bible and World Religion courses to thousands of students. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 2011. Tom also considered his position at the Copperas Cove Church of Christ as a unique ministry, teaching and preaching for a congregation with considerable turnover every few years due to the high military membership from Fort Hood. It was for these reasons, that Tom and Elaine decided to finally call Central Texas “home”.
In 2014, at 72 years old, Tom surprised friends and family alike by publishing a novel entitled, “Jenny Kissed Me”, which rates a 4.4 on Amazon.
Tom is predeceased by his parents, brother Gary (Peggy) and sister, Vicki Hennig (Joe). He is survived by his wife Elaine, son Zach (Pamela), daughter Paige, granddaughters Nikki (Chris), Callie and great grandchildren, Rylie, Mason and Micah.
A Memorial Service Celebrating Tom’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 starting at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Crawford Bowers Funeral Home.
As an option, you may choose to donate to one of these charities in lieu of flowers:
1. Cherokee Home for Children , https://www.chc4kids.org/
2. American Bible Society , https://americanbible.org/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Allen family.