James “Jimmy” Allen, Jr

James “Jimmy” Allen, Jr., age 72 of Dawsonville, passed away on October 10, 2018 surrounded by immediate family after a long struggle with cancer. 

Jimmy was born on May 3, 1946 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late James Esco Allen, Sr. and the late Geneva Hayes Allen. Jimmy graduated from Gainesville High School in 1964. He received a Varsity Football Scholarship to Georgia Tech and was the first Lanier Land Tennis Champion in the early 60’s. Jimmy received a Master’s Degree from Defense Intelligence College specializing in special operations and interrogations. He married Julie Lynn Musser of Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 3, 1987 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Jimmy served in the United States Air Force for 23 years and retired in October of 1988 at the rank of Master Sergeant.  He received numerous medals and awards for outstanding service during his combat years in Vietnam, where he served three tours, and military intelligence assignments.

After retirement from the Air Force, he continued his career with the Department of Homeland Security as a Senior Intelligence Research Specialist. Again, he was awarded numerous awards for his distinguished service in the U.S. Immigration/Customs Enforcement, Gang Research and Terror prevention operations. He retired from Homeland Security in 2011 after 23 years of service.
Upon retirement from Homeland Security, Jimmy joined the Gwinnett County Special Investigations Division. Before leaving his position due to health reasons, Jimmy was awarded and recognized with numerous awards for outstanding service. One of his most cherished awards was presented to him from the FBI just a few weeks before his passing.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 31 years Julie Allen; daughter Desiree Michelle Eckert (Erik) of California; sister Sandra Allen-Brown (Robin) of Dawsonville; brother Michael Allen (Cindy) of Bethlehem, Georgia; sister Sherryl LaBonte (Jim) of Chapin, South Carolina; 3 granddaughters; special aunt Barbara Vickers of Charleston, South Carolina; special nephews and numerous cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. Inurnment will be held at Georgia National Cemetery.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and to the staff of Northeast Georgia Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warriors Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org, in honor of Jimmy.

Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. 770-297-6200.