September 24, 1944 - September 27, 2022

Jimmy William Allen, 78, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2022 at the Hospice House in El Dorado, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Allen and parents, Andrew and Edith Allen. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna Young Allen; his sons, Lanny Kenneth Allen (Kelly) and Joshua Perry Allen; daughter, Jessica Lee Allen and bonus daughter, Ashley Nicole Vickers; one brother, Ricky Allen; two grandchildren, Hunter Allen and Perry Allen and many family, friends, caregivers and coaching friends.

Jimmy was a graduate of Bismarck High School and Henderson State University. He was an outstanding superintendent, principal and basketball coach for over 40 years. He was successful in leading two schools off of the academic distress list, establishing successful in-school alternative learning programs in each school and was successful in obtaining many grants for additional school programs. Although he was very successful as an administrator, his true love was basketball. He loved people and believed all people to be equally important regardless of position, race or background. It gave him true joy to be the underdog or to help the underdog.

He was a highly acclaimed basketball coach, winning two back-to-back boy's state championships at McNeil High School and becoming champions or co-champions of the Arkansas Junior College Conference from 1981-1984 at Phillips County Community College. He received Arkansas Junior College Coach of the Year acclaims for two years, won the District 17 Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Men's Basketball Championship and ranked as high as 6th in the nation at University of the Ozarks, where he was selected AIC Coach of the Year. He was honored to coach three consecutive years at the Arkansas All-Star Basketball game and won a state championship in girls track at Warren High School. His teams won numerous conferences, district and regional championships at McNeil, Junction City, Bismarck, Poyen and Warren High Schools. He was also an Assistant Basketball Coach at Kansas State University under the late Jack Hartman.

His tenacity for hard work, a strong man-to-man defense, dedication and winning brought his teams great success, but his love for his players and students and his commitment to their success in life brought him the most pleasure.

His family wants to share their appreciation to the dedicated staff of the Greenhouse Cottages of Wentworth Place of Magnolia, Arkansas. Their care for him over the last seventeen months has been phenomenal and he loved you very much.

A graveside service for Jimmy William Allen will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Young Family Cemetery, 100 Phillips County Rd 101 in Poplar Grove, Arkansas. Brother Kenny Lee will officiate.

Services are directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)-572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena

In lieu of flowers, an endowment account has been set up at the Southern Arkansas University Foundation in Jimmy Allen's name to support financially needy students who have evidenced self-discipline and a strong work ethic with a commitment to improve their lives.

Gifts to the fund can be made online at www.SAUFoundation.org/make-a-gift, by mail to the SAU Foundation at 100 East University, MSC 9174, Magnolia, AR 71753 or by phone at 870-235-4078.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the 1974,1976, 1977 and 1978 McNeil Boys Basketball teams, Former Superintendent and Coach Carl Barger, Coach Scott Kelton, Coach Ricky Smith, Coach Chris Kiser, Coach Spencer Kiser and Patrick Frazier.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
508 East Plaza Street
West Helena, AR  72390
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com