John Mark Allen

John Mark Allen died Saturday, August 8, 2015, at John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital after a short illness. He was 64 and died after a recent diagnosis of cancer. A graduate of Little Rock Central High School, he also attended Little Rock University, now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973 and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. Mr. Allen was a lifelong resident of the Greater Little Rock area but he was happiest and spent most of his adult life in the city's Hillcrest area where he was reared. As a teenager, he worked at several businesses in the area, including Carroll Stegall's Hillcrest Variety Store and later at Ed Helmich's Mobil gas station, using the skills he learned while serving in a mechanized U.S. Army unit. During his high school years, he worked as a copyboy at the Arkansas Gazette. Mr. Allen was predeceased by his son, Aaron Scott Allen, his parents, Charles Anthony and Gloria Richard Allen, his brothers, Francis Avery Allen, II and Robert Scott Allen, sister-in-law, Judy Allen, brother-in-law ,James H. Larrison, Jr. and nephew James H. Larrison III. He is survived by his son Camron Avery Allen and his sons companion Krystal, two granddaughters, and his former wife Cindy. Also surviving are his brother, Charles Anthony (Chad) Allen Jr. and his wife Christine of Ledbetter, Texas, his brother, Richard Allen and his wife Brigitte Lefeuvre of Paris, France, his sister, Diane Allen and her husband Rene Bressinck of Little Rock, his sister, Penny Allen of Sherwood, six nephews, six nieces, and 14 first cousins including Chris Allen of Little Rock who was especially beloved by Mark. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the employees of the Retirement Center of Arkansas located in Sherwood and also to Ms. Susan Moore, Mark's caseworker at the VA. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, Wednesday, August 12, followed by a Rosary led by Msgr. John F. O'Donnell at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be offered by Msgr. O'Donnell at Our Lady of The Holy Souls Catholic Church at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 13. Those who wish to remember Mark by making a donation are asked to contribute to the Msgr. Francis Allen Trust and Development Fund for Holy Souls School, 1003 North Tyler, Little Rock, Ark. 72205, or to the charity of their choice. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.