Bennie Allen

Bennie Allen, 87, passed away July 8, 2019 in Granbury, Texas.  Services are to be held at a later date.

Bennie Robert Allen was born in May 1932 in Freeport, Texas to Robert and Euna Allen. He was married to Sheila Patrick in 1954 and they had two children Larry and Lynne.  Sheila died in 1991 and Bennie was remarried in 1997 to Ann Newby.

Bennie retired with the rank of Colonel after 30 years as a pilot with the US Air Force.  The early part of Bennie’s military career coincided with the peak of the Cold War where was he assigned to fly specialized reconnaissance aircraft from Alaska into Soviet airspace to test their response and capabilities.  During the Vietnam War he flew RC-135s on reconnaissance missions from Okinawa to the Gulf of Tonkin and, while later stationed at the airbase in Saigon, he flew RF-45 aircraft to gather photographic information documenting the land battles.  Later in his career he directed the operations of B-52 aircraft and ultimately, the entire Eighth Air Force. After retiring Bennie enjoyed golf and tinkering in his workshop on wood and metal projects.

Bennie was preceded by parents Robert and Euna Allen, his brother Eddie Mack Allen, his first wife Sheila Allen and his daughter Lynne Friend

Bennie is survived by his wife Ann Allen, his son Larry Allen, and step-daughter Cathy Hill and her husband Lynn Hill.