Ben Frank Allen Jr.

Ben Frank Allen Jr., 82, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 8, 2014. He was born September 16, 1931to the late Ben Frank Allen Sr. and Leota Helen Allen. Ben was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Patricia Thrash Allen, for fifty-eight years. A native of Hot Springs, Ben Allen attended Hot Springs High School, Henderson State University, Eastern Oklahoma A & M at Wilburton, University of North Carolina at Goldsboro, and University of the Philippines on Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands. Ben retired with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant from a outstanding military career of 21 years in the United States Air Force in 1971. During his career, some of his commendable achievements included the following: attending an Accredited Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Hamilton Air Force Base in California and accompanying the body of former president Dwight David Elsenhower to Andrews Air Force Base for burial. He was charged with creating the flight plans, coordinating the aircraft, and various other tasks necessary in order to accomplish such a prestigious ceremony. In addition, Ben served two one-year assignments to Vietnam where he was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay and Korat, Thailand. His air force squadron, the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing of Goldsboro, North Carolina was deployed to South Korea as a result of the capture of the Pueblo. Ben Allen received the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service and the First Oak Leaf Cluster. After his military retirement, Ben returned to his boyhood home where he became an active member of Park Place Baptist Church and co-owner of Brooks Hardware, fondly known by all the locals as THE “hang out” for daily doses of male conversation around the coffee pot – a “male beauty shop” atmosphere so to speak. Ben may have been best known for his generous distribution of poinsettias to many of his close friends each Christmas season – a “crusty” man on the outside with a pure heart of gold on the inside. Survivors include a daughter and son-in law, Dawn and Ron Harmon of North Little Rock; the precious joy of his life granddaughter, Madyson Harmon; daughter, Danah Allen of Hot Springs; brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Martha Allen of Hot Springs; brother -in-law and sister- in law, Bill and Peggy Thrash of North Little Rock; two nieces, Lisa Stillwell and husband Mike of Mountain Pine and Shea Thrash of Little Rock; nephew, Jarrod Thrash and wife Sarah of Shreveport, Louisiana and many extended family members. Celebration of life service will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at Park Place Baptist Church with Rev. Coy Sample officiating. There will be no visitation. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Memorials have been designated to the heat and air condition fund of Park Place Church. Special Friends; Don and Mary Beth Bridges, Johnnie & Faye Breckling, Don & Hettie Brooks, Vernon & Phyllis Brooks, Buddy & Jean Brooks, Dwight & Nan Bowlin, Duane & Debbie Coleman, Margie Cash, cherished members of Park Place Baptist Church, Tom & Linda Elliott, Kathryn Dean, Tim Dean, Jude Finch, Beverly Gann, Gilbert Garrett, Grant Garrett, Fred & Charlotte Gill, Juanita Heller, Greg James, Steve Jones, Ron Joyce, Ron Jarrell, Johnson Lake Duck Hunting Club, Dale Kight, Bill & Becky Lee, Jerry Merriweather, Barbara McCowan, Harris & Kathryn McNeill, John O’Dwyer, Bobby Pye, David Payne, Ben & Terry Rothwell, Steve Rhodes, Steve Rynders, Jim Shults, Shults greenhouse employees, Dick & Mary Ann Stubblefield, Jon Stubblefield, Jeff Speer, David Shelstead, B.J. & JoAnn Smith, godson, Scott & Sherry Smith, James Ware, Noah Williams, Wendell Workman, XYZ hunting club members, Dr. Neeraj Bharany, Dr. John Brandt, Dr. Timothy English, Dr. Bill Lefler, Exceptional care from nurses at N.P.M.C. 2nd floor, physical therapy nurses and therapist at NPMC, and skilled nursing care staff.

Ben Frank Allen Jr.

September 16, 1931 - April 8, 2014