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Memory Gardens Cemetery
Pittsburg, Oklahoma
Bishop Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice
Richard Howard Allen, 89, of McAlester passed away Wednesday May 31, 2023 in McAlester, OK surrounded by family.
A viewing will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Bishops Funeral Service, with a funeral at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Bishop Chapel of Memories with Pastor Lance McAfee officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are Clay Spruce, Kyle Allen, Devon Richey, Jathaniel Richey, Luke Clifton, J.C. Spruce, Louis Boggs, and Toby Simco.
Richard was born August 3, 1933 in Bragg City, Missouri to Henry Howard Allen and Emma Lee (Collins) Allen. After graduating from High School in Bragg City, MO, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Weather Observer and was deployed to Seoul, Korea for nearly a year. He returned to the U.S. and served the remainder of his enlistment at Kelly AFB. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. While still enlisted in the military, he attended San Antonio Junior College and St. Mary's University in pursuit of a business degree. While in San Antonio, Richard met the love of his life, Viola Pompa of Devine TX, and they were married on May 19, 1956. He received an Honorable Discharge from the military on December 11, 1956. Richard worked for a short time as an Air Traffic Controller at Kelly AFB before becoming employed with the Social Security Administration in 1960. In that time, he worked 8 yrs. as Assistant District Manager and 7 yrs. as District manager in the McAlester Office. He was promoted to Area Director, with offices in Oklahoma City where his jurisdiction was the entire state of Oklahoma, later including Arkansas, and part of Texas. After 39 years, he retired from civil service in 1999. Richard was an avid fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Cowboys, and St. Louis Cardinals.
His hobbies included golfing, bowling, and fishing. After retirement, he became more active as a Sunday School teacher with McLoud First United Methodist Church, and member of the Methodist Men's Club. He volunteered as a member of the McLoud Chapter of Kiwanis International serving 2 yrs as President. Richard and Viola returned to the McAlester area in 2018.
He was preceded in death by his children infant son, David Blake Allen, daughter, Emma Lee Allen Spruce; parents, Henry Howard Allen and Emma Lee Allen; grandson, Ryan Allen McAfee; great grandchildren, Clayton Austin Spruce and Hope Nicole McAfee; brother, Terry Allen; sisters, Jeris Bean, and Rhonda Allen.
Richard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Viola Allen of the home; children, William Allen and wife Donna of Telephone, TX, Linda McAfee and husband Danny of McAlester, OK, Sandra Richey and husband Carl of Colcord, OK; grandchildren, Clay Spruce and wife, Crystal of Yukon, OK, Jayme Spruce-Clifton of McAlester, OK, Brooke Hall of Midland, TX, Kyle Allen and wife, Linsey of Edmond, OK, and Lance McAfee and wife Sierra of McAlester, OK, Victoria Allen of Connecticut, Devon Richey and wife Alé of Mission, TX, Emily Richey of McLoud, OK, Jathaniel Richey of Colcord, OK, and Cameron Allen of Durant, OK; 9 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild; Sisters Carol Underwood, Rosemary Nichols, and Paula Tilman; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
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