Avis de décès de Charles-B. Allen

ALLEN, Charles B., 71, of Valrico, passed away Friday, October 8, 2004, with complications from lung cancer. A Native of Arapaho, Okla., he graduated from Oklahoma University as a Petroleum Engineer. Charles worked for Mobil Oil in Louisiana before accepting a position as a drilling manager in England where he was instrumental in drilling the first well in the North Sea. His career then led him to many overseas locations including Denmark, Spanish Sahara, Nigeria, Australia, West Africa, the Middle East and Angola, where he resided for a short while. He lived and worked in Norway for a number of years where he extended his expertise operating semi-submersible drilling rigs in the North Sea for a Norwegian company. He later transferred to London where he rounded off his career, providing his experience and expertise to Kerr McGee Corporation for their operations in the North Sea. He retired in December 1995 to Valrico and spent many happy hours together with his wife, his daughter and grandso ns, and his many friends and neighbors. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Bernice Allen. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Mary; his daughters, Barbara Allen of Washington D.C. and Carol Allen of Valrico; his brothers, Keith Allen of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Donald Allen of Springfield, Mo.; his sister, Carol Allison of Clinton, Okla.; and his two grandsons, Ricky Garcia and Andrew Garcia of Valrico. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to express a special thanks to all our neighbors for their constant love, kindness and support, and to further thank the members and staff of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church for their caring and thoughtfulness during Charles' illness. Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 16, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Arapaho Cemetery in Arapaho, Okla. A Service of Remembrance will be held in Brandon in November. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the H. Le e Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612, or to the Salvation Army.