| James Platt “Jim” Allen, 80, of 1814 Arbor Way Drive died at 10:50 p.m. at Carolinas Medical Center ending a year’s long battle with congestive heart failure.
Mr. Allen had been a resident of Shelby since relocating here from Greenwood, SC in early April 1962, to become associate editor of The Shelby Daily Star. He was promoted to editor following the untimely death of Editor Richard L. Shelton.
Advocating for honesty in government, civil rights, racial harmony, equitable economic development and quality of life enhancing initiatives at local, state and national levels were hallmarks of his newspaper career. He was editor for more than 5 years before leaving in 1968 to join Hoechst Celanese Corp. as Southeast region director of communications and public affairs; where he thrived for 28 years. After retirement from Hoechst Celanese Corp., he opened Jim Allen Public Relations in Shelby specializing in environmental communications.
Mr. Allen served as Chairman of the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Piedmont Council Boy Scouts and Vice President of the Board of North Lake Country Club. For several years, Mr. Allen was the Vice Chairman of Communications and Community Affairs for United Way of Cleveland County, and was a past member of the Board of Advisors for UNC Charlotte and the Gardner-Webb Advisory Board. He was Chairman of the Board for the following agencies: The Shelby Parks and Recreation Commission, the Cleveland County Arts Council, the Cleveland County Chamber’s Community Development Division. He was also on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Fund for the Advancement of Math and Science Education and the Charter President of the Cleveland County Historical Society. Jim wrote and produced the capital campaign video for two local agencies: the YMCA and the Life Enrichment Center.
Mr. Allen was honored by the Shelby Lions Club as Citizen of the Year in 1999 and was President of the Shelby Rotary Club from 2000-2001. He was also instrumental in organizing the morning Rotary Club. In 1999, Mr. Allen worked to promote and pass countywide zoning. His efforts also included working for the consolidation of three school districts in 2002 to provide equal opportunity for all students and maximize use of existing facilities.
A native of Mullins, SC, Mr. Allen was the eldest of five children of the late Virginia Inez Skipper Allen of Mullins and Arthur Harrison Allen Jr. of Portsmouth, NH. He graduated with academic honors, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a double minor in English and Political Science from his “beloved” University of South Carolina College of Journalism on May 05, 1954. He also received the College of Journalism’s Caroline McKissick Belser Award as the graduating senior with the best academic record.
Mr. Allen was drafted three months later, having attained the rank of Sergeant First Class in the South Carolina National Guard while in high school and college. After basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, he was transferred to The Message Center Company of U.S. Seventh Army’s 97th Signal Battalion Headquarters at Stuttgart, Germany, as a communications and cryptographic specialist.
The caliber of his highly classified work with the 97th Signal Battalion earned Mr. Allen appointment in the late June 1955 Seventh Army’s Noncommissioned Officers Academy at Munich, Germany. His academy performance earned him designation as his class’ first-honor graduate July 15, 1955.
He was an active member of Central United Methodist Church. He was a Sunday School teacher for the Wesley Class, and had been the chairman of the Administrative Board, as well as the Board of Trustees and Staff/Parish.
This vast array of activities loudly proclaimed that Jim Allen unselfishly gave his time and talent to benefit others. He made a tremendous impact on Cleveland County as co-founder and organizer of the Foothills Merry-Go-Round Festival. His hard work and generous spirit exemplified the true meaning of working and caring for Cleveland County. He truly was a role model for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Allen is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Sandra H. Allen; two daughters, Ginger Whitehead and husband Danny of West Springs, SC, Altman Anderson and husband, Richard; three sons, Kevin Allen and wife July, Sandy Allen and wife Pam, Randy Allen and wife Cathy all of Shelby; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer Blanton and husband Jarrett, Skip Allen and wife Jena, Austin Allen and wife Stephanie, Cortlan Allen, Shelley Whitehead, Cody Allen, Caroline Allen, Arden Anderson, Seth Whitehead, Alex Anderson, Meredith Allen, and Tad Barbee and wife Jessie; six great-grandchildren, Cade and Josie Blanton, Haiden Allen, Alyssa, Knox and Bryce Barbee; three brothers, Chad Allen and wife Sarah, Richard Allen, Arthur Allen and wife Judy; one sister, Virginia Peacock and husband Jim.
Of all of his many endeavors, his family was his most cherished accomplishment.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home.
A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Central United Methodist Church. The Rev. Craig Langston and Richard Allen will be officiating.
Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery immediately following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Young Life of Cleveland County, Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Shelby High School, and Central United Methodist Church Capital Fund.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Allen.
|
