Thomas F. Allen

Thomas F. Allen, of Poplar Bluff, died on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at the age of 80.

Mr. Allen was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo. on March 9, 1931, to Thomas N. and Margaret Midkiff Allen. He attended school in Poplar Bluff, graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1948. After high school, he attended Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Mississippi, receiving degrees in education and educational administration. In 1954 he began his career in Troy, Mo. Mr. Allen returned to Poplar Bluff in 1958, beginning a 33 year affiliation with the Poplar Bluff public schools, serving as teacher, elementary principal, and finally as Assistant Superintendent of Schools. He retired in 1990.

Mr. Allen was elected to the Poplar Bluff City Council in 1980, and served one term as mayor of Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Allen enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and was an ardent supporter of University of Missouri football and basketball. He attended the First Methodist Church of Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Allen will be remembered as a man who loved to tell a story, as a fierce supporter of the Poplar Bluff school system, and as someone who deeply loved his friends and family.

He married his wife of 57 years, Betty Wright Allen, on Dec. 28, 1954.

Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, Betty Allen, his son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Brenda Allen of Poplar Bluff; four grandchildren, Joshua Allen and his wife Traci, of Bell City, Mo., Silas Allen of Oklahoma City, Okla., Emily Allen of Lady Lake, Fla., and Alex Brooks of Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, T.L. Bilkey, of Little Rock, Ark.; and one sister, Kay Yount of Kenner, La.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Allen Sapp, son-in-law Jim Sapp, and a sister, Arvella Hansen.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Methodist Church with The Rev. David Stewart officiating and The Rev. Steve Patterson assisting. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

The family requests that memorials be made to, Poplar Bluff School Foundation, 1110 North Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.