Bruce Allen
Bruce Allen, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in his Ruston home on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.
Bruce (aka Papa Bruce) was born Sept. 15, 1927, to John Wesley and Mary Lillian Allen in Dubach, Louisiana.
He graduated from Neville High School in Monroe, and after serving in the military during World War II, earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech in Forestry.
Bruce loved being outdoors and spent most of his adult life in Louisiana timberland. He worked as a surveyor and forester before starting Allen Pulpwood and Bruce Allen Timber, companies he successfully ran for most of his life. Bruce was an avid runner for the latter half of his life and competed in races and triathlons whenever possible.
Two of his favorite pictures were him running races with his grandchildren.
In one, he and his young grandson are crossing the finish line together; in the other, he and all of his great grandchildren are crossing the finish line en masse.
Both Bruce and his wife Wanda were dedicated to two things: Emmanuel Baptist Church and helping guide children and young people to happy productive lives. They both donated countless hours toward educating, coaching, and working with young people.
He and Wanda Templeton married in 1952 and remained loving partners until her death April 30 of this year.
Together they raised two children: Randy Allen of Los Altos, California, and Susan Tripp of Ruston.Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, older brother James, and his wife Wanda.
He is survived by son Randy Allen and wife Vicki; daughter Susan Allen Tripp and husband Jimmie; grandchildren Jennifer Allen, Nick Lee, Mike Lee, and Daniel Lee; great grandchildren Jackson Lee, Austin Lee, Parker Lee, and Emmaline Lee; sister Mary Lillian Belton, and many nieces and nephews. Serving as pall bearers will be Nick Lee, Mike Lee, Daniel Lee, Jimmie Tripp, Randy Allen.
A public visitation will be held at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug 24, followed by a service in the Owens Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. with Bro. Paul Watts officiating.
The family requests that any planned memorials be sent to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1200 Farmerville Hwy., Ruston, LA, 71270, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.
