James ‘Jim’ Louis Allen, 94, former Mayor of Milton, WA and Mechanical Engineer for Allen & Associates Engineering, died Friday, January 26, 2024 at Grays Harbor Health & Rehabilitation Center in Aberdeen, WA.
Jim was born on December 3, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to Vincent and Mary (Norton) Allen. He grew up in Barberton, Ohio where he graduated high school. He joined the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. During this time, he met Mary Anne Harnisch and they married on June 5, 1953, at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Lakewood, WA. Mary preceded Jim in death October 28, 2011 in Edgewood, WA.
Jim was honorably discharged from the Army on July 23, 1958 and returned to Ohio where he attended Ohio State University. Jim continued his studies at the University of Washington and later received his Engineering License. In 1960, Jim and his family moved to Milton, WA.
Jim worked for Paccar in Kent, WA in the early 60’s. Then he went to work for Star Iron and Steel in the late 60’s as a designer. In the 70’s he worked his way up to Vice President of the company. In 1975 Jim's vision and ambition led him to starting his own company, Allen & Associates Engineering Consultants. Jim was a consultant on loading
cranes around the world. Jim retired in 2005.
In the1970's, Jim was Mayor of Milton WA for two terms. In 1997, Jim moved to Edgewood, WA until 2018 when he moved back to Milton. During his last 3 months, Jim moved to Hoquiam, WA to be near his son Brian and his wife Linda.
Jim was a proud 66-year member of ‘AA’ and a leader in his chapter. He wrote and published a book on the history of the Tacoma Chapter of AA. He was a board member of St. Vincent DePaul. He served as a board member for the Polynesian Resort in Ocean Shores, WA. He enjoyed traveling and believed in a life of service, helping others in need.
Jim is survived by sons: Steve (Laura) Allen of Weidman, MI and Brian (Linda Springer) Allen of Cosmopolis, WA; Daughters: Kelly (Jack) Gillard of Ann Arbor, MI and Kathrine (Mike) Powers of Kingston, TN; a sister, Eleanor Allen of Barberton, OH; grandchildren: Jacop, Stephanie, Hannah, Jeb, Jamison, Spencer and Nora; step-granddaughter Andrea and many great grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Allen; two sisters: Margaret Allen and Ann Allen.
There will be a time of visitation on Monday, February 5, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Fife from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:30 PM. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at 2:00 PM at Gethsemane Cemetery, Federal Way, WA. A reception will follow at the Fife Community Center from 3-5 PM.
Donations can be made to St. Vincent DePaul at ssvpusa.org
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Allen, please visit our flower store.
Jim was born on December 3, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to Vincent and Mary (Norton) Allen. He grew up in Barberton, Ohio where he graduated high school. He joined the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. During this time, he met Mary Anne Harnisch and they married on June 5, 1953, at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Lakewood, WA. Mary preceded Jim in death October 28, 2011 in Edgewood, WA.
Jim was honorably discharged from the Army on July 23, 1958 and returned to Ohio where he attended Ohio State University. Jim continued his studies at the University of Washington and later received his Engineering License. In 1960, Jim and his family moved to Milton, WA.
Jim worked for Paccar in Kent, WA in the early 60’s. Then he went to work for Star Iron and Steel in the late 60’s as a designer. In the 70’s he worked his way up to Vice President of the company. In 1975 Jim's vision and ambition led him to starting his own company, Allen & Associates Engineering Consultants. Jim was a consultant on loading
cranes around the world. Jim retired in 2005.
In the1970's, Jim was Mayor of Milton WA for two terms. In 1997, Jim moved to Edgewood, WA until 2018 when he moved back to Milton. During his last 3 months, Jim moved to Hoquiam, WA to be near his son Brian and his wife Linda.
Jim was a proud 66-year member of ‘AA’ and a leader in his chapter. He wrote and published a book on the history of the Tacoma Chapter of AA. He was a board member of St. Vincent DePaul. He served as a board member for the Polynesian Resort in Ocean Shores, WA. He enjoyed traveling and believed in a life of service, helping others in need.
Jim is survived by sons: Steve (Laura) Allen of Weidman, MI and Brian (Linda Springer) Allen of Cosmopolis, WA; Daughters: Kelly (Jack) Gillard of Ann Arbor, MI and Kathrine (Mike) Powers of Kingston, TN; a sister, Eleanor Allen of Barberton, OH; grandchildren: Jacop, Stephanie, Hannah, Jeb, Jamison, Spencer and Nora; step-granddaughter Andrea and many great grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Allen; two sisters: Margaret Allen and Ann Allen.
There will be a time of visitation on Monday, February 5, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Fife from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:30 PM. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at 2:00 PM at Gethsemane Cemetery, Federal Way, WA. A reception will follow at the Fife Community Center from 3-5 PM.
Donations can be made to St. Vincent DePaul at ssvpusa.org
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Allen, please visit our flower store.
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