Chester L. "Chet" Allen, Jr.

Chester L. "Chet" Allen, Jr., 89 of Abilene, passed away at a local nursing center on March 25th, 2016. Services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday March 28, 2016 at Potosi Baptist Church with Bro. Keith Clifton and Bro. Donny Harbers officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm in the Nimrod Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 5-6:30 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Chet was born May 10, 1926, near Dothan, TX to Gladys Camp and Chester L. Allen, Sr. He grew up in southern Stephens County from the age of about 3 years until leaving home for the military in 1944. He attended schools in Concord, Scranton, Harpersville, Parks and Breckenridge, TX, graduating from Breckenridge High School in 1943.

He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the Army in the 43rd Infantry Division in the Philippines. He later served with the 1857th MP and Train Guard Detachment in Fort Sam Houston, TX. After the war he attended Cisco Jr. College, graduating as the salutatorian of his class in 1948.

He married Jean Harrelson in Cisco, TX on October 11, 1948. He was employed by Phillips Petroleum Company for 36 years and 11 months. He held various positions in Buckeye and Hobbs, NM, Frankel City, Midkiff, Goldsmith and Odessa, TX. He managed a material warehouse at Goldsmith, TX from 1967 until his retirement in 1985. He lived in Odessa twice for a total of 25 years. While living in Odessa he was a member of the Ector County Reserve Deputy Sheriff Unit for a number of years in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

After retiring from Phillips Petroleum, Chet and Jean moved to the Denton Valley area, where they grew pecans and enjoyed retirement. While in Denton Valley he was a member of Potosi Baptist Church for many years.

Surviving Chet are his daughter Lynda Higdon, a son, Randy Allen and wife Susan, two granddaughters; Shea Morrow and husband Alex and Shayne Jacobs and husband Sam, one grandson, Justin Allen and one great grandson, Porter Jacobs. In addition, he is survived by two brothers, Dale Allen and Fred Allen and wife Faye two Sisters-in-law, Melba Barger and Lavonne Jaramillo and husband Ben as well as many other extended family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jean, his parents and a sister.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in honor of Chet to Potosi Baptist Church Memorial Prayer Garden or to the Nimrod Cemetery c/o Lavonne Jaramillo, 2610 S. 25th, Abilene 79605.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.