Joe Thomas Allen

HAMILTON - Joe Thomas Allen, 89, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 at his home with his wife Lois and daughter Linda by his side. He was born Joe Deluca in West Virginia on June 1, 1924. His father died in a coalmine accident, and Joe was adopted by the Allen family around age 5.

Joe was drafted into the service at age 18, during WWII, and served as a tail gunner for four years during the war. When he got out of the service, Joe married Lois, and went to work for his adoptive father, Ray Allen at the stockyards in Wichita, KS. Those were his cowboy/rodeo years, but after too many bumps and bruises, Joe decided to go back into the service.

Joe served 22 years in the Navy as an air traffic controller on aircraft carriers and as an instructor for air traffic controllers. During his service, Joe and his family lived in Chicago, Brunswick GA, Florida, Kodiak AK, Olathe KS, and Corpus Christi TX. Joe retired with the rank of Master Chief, and with his family, owned and operated Allen's Marina in Corpus Christi. In 1969, Joe brought his family to Montana to work in the logging industry.

Joe is survived by his wife Lois of Hamilton; five sons, Ray and wife Mary of Texas, Bob and wife Debra of Texas, Dave of Corvallis, Ron and wife Anita of Washington, Don and wife Patty of Texas; two daughters Linda of Hamilton and Debra of Oregon; and 18 grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Dave Allen, Ron Allen, Don Allen, Ray Allen, Cliff Cooper and Clay Cooper.