Harlen Ray Allen entered into the presence of the Lord on Friday, January 27, 2023 in Italy, Texas with his children by his side. Ray was born on May 30, 1940 to Gerald Ralston and Oleta Lorene Allen in Winnsboro, Franklin County, Texas in the same farmhouse that his dad and older brother were born in. He grew up in a happy country family with two brothers and one sister where he learned from his parents how to farm (plowing behind two draft horses named Bonnie and Clyde), work hard, hunt, fish, read his Bible and love the Lord.

His family moved from the farm in East Texas to Irving, Texas when Ray was in the ninth grade. He graduated from Irving High School in 1958. Upon graduation, he enlisted into the United States Army and proudly served his country as a Military Policeman until his honorable discharge in 1961. He spent most of his service in Hokkaido, Japan where he was able to hunt and fish when on leave. After completing his service in the Army, Ray inquired into becoming a Texas State Trooper. After learning that they were not hiring new Troopers, he became a truck driver. Ray was a proud Teamster and member of Local 745 until his retirement.

He played semi-professional football in the 1960’s in Dallas for a team that was sponsored by El Fenix. He was a defensive end and had several teeth knocked out during this time which resulted in him wearing a partial plate of false teeth. He played for three, 10-game seasons and earned $25.00 per game. He played football while also working full time as a truck driver.

Ray gave his life to Jesus when he was a teenager and was baptized in the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. He had a tremendous love for the Lord his entire life. His faith matured over the past nine years after he rededicated his life to the Lord and studied deeper in God’s Word and spent more time in prayer. He looked forward to the day that he would meet Jesus in Heaven.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman and gardener. He enjoyed his time hunting and fishing in Texas and Colorado and hanging out at the dear lease with his older brother Bill, his nephews, and close friends. He enjoyed growing fruit and vegetables on his land (“the farm”) in East Texas. He also enjoyed spending time and making memories at “the farm” with his children, grandchildren, parents and family.

He was an opinionated and hard headed man with a big heart and desire to help people every chance he got. He was a jokester who loved to laugh. You never knew what he was going to say, but you knew it would be something! He was fiercely dedicated to his family and friends. His four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren have many great memories of “Pawpaw” and “Great-Pawpaw” as do his many nieces and nephews that call him “Uncle Ray”. We’ll all have “Ray Stories” to tell for years to come.

Ray is survived by his sister, Geraldine Moad of Upshur County, Texas; sister-in-law, Marge Allen of Virginia; son Timothy Ray Allen of Waxahachie, Texas; daughter Tammy Renee Bohanan of Waxahachie, Texas; grandson Timothy Ray Allen, Jr. and wife Alisha of Rock Hill, South Carolina; granddaughter Tobi Harman and husband Gregg of Ellis County, Texas; granddaughter Ashley Neal and husband Matt of Waxahachie, Texas; grandson Jacob Bohanan of Waxahachie, Texas; great-grandchildren Kylie Allen, Wyatt Jackson, Angelique Hilliard, Gauge Harman, Peyton Ray Allen, Lillian Merritt, Jolie Allen, Caleb Allen, Daisey Ray Harman, Gary Harman, and Alaina Neal; many nieces and nephews and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Bill Allen and Johnny Mack Allen; great-grandson Nathan Lee Allen.

The family would like to give our sincere thanks to the team at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie, Renaissance Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Italy, Ellis County EMS first responders and Bristol Hospice. Your compassionate loving care for dad and our family is a true blessing that will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for each of you and the work that you do each day, asking God to bless you and give you strength and comfort. We also thank everyone at Waxahachie Bible Church and Maypearl Church of Christ for all of the visits and prayers. A church family is a blessing from God. Thank you to Ronny Langford and the team at Boze Mitchell McKibbin for taking the ball and running with it.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Maple Springs Church/Cemetery in Newsome, Camp County, Texas with Brother Jimmy Ray Peterson officiating. Interment will follow at the Maple Springs Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Jacob Bohanan, Brian Allen, Jerry Sinkey and Johnny Rekieta. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Allen, Timothy Allen, Jr., Matt Neal and Jimmy Ray Peterson.

If lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a memorial donation in Ray’s memory to Pathway to Victory Ministry, David Jeremiah/Turning Point Ministry or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital if you so wish.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home in Waxahachie, Texas.