Mel Allen

Services are scheduled at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 26, at First Baptist Church for Mel Allen, 803 Pecan, Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Allen, 83, died Sunday, March 23, 2008 at Artesia Good Samaritan Center. Rev. Rick Sullivan will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Allen, T.J. Allen, Albert Cantu, Anthony Cantu, Matthew Cantu, Jeff Cearley and Bob Murray. Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Mr. Allen was born June 22, 1924 in DeKalb, Texas; the son of Melton Boyce Allen Sr. and Dovie Anderson Allen. On Jan. 29, 1952 he was married to Betty Louise Franks in Midland, Texas. He came to Artesia in 1989 from Lovington, N.M. He served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a salesman, Vice President of Monument Well Service and various other positions in the oil and gas industry. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge, Good Sam's Travel Club, numerous oil and gas industry organizations. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Boyce Allen. Survivors include his wife Betty Allen of the family home; sons Mike Allen and wife Mary Lou of Mansfield, Texas, Rick Allen of Artesia, and Tim Allen and wife Sherri of Artesia; sister Mary Schooler and husband Ken of Seminole, Texas; grandchildren Michelle Allen Cantu, Marsha Allen, Michael Allen Amanda Allen, T.J. Allen, Kassidi Allen, Destiny Hokett Todd, Coly Hokett, and Shanna Hokett; 8 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions Vista Care Hospice 611 N. Canal, Carlsbad, N.M. 88220.