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Sinton - Coach Tom Allen, 53, passed away on January 27, 2023 after battling Multiple System Atrophy since 2015.
He was born in Henrietta, Texas on February 14, 1969, to Theo and Linda Allen. To the community of Henrietta, he was affectionately known as Tommy Ray. He graduated from Henrietta High School in 1987, where he was a five-sport letterman, President of both the Student Council and Future Homemakers of America, and a member of the National Honor Society. He received his Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sport Science in 1993 from Texas Tech University. Tom was a Christian whose faith in the Lord strengthened and guided him throughout his life.
He began his coaching career in 1994 for the Judson Independent School District where he coached boys and girls basketball, boys and girls track, girls volleyball, and football at the middle school. From 1997-2004 Tom coached at Dunbar High School in Fort Worth under Head Coach Bob Jones. He served as the Offensive Coordinator for three years, the Defensive Coordinator for four years and was the Head Boys Track Coach for all 7 years. During this time, Dunbar qualified for the football playoffs in the 1999-2003 seasons including four consecutive undefeated district championships. As the head boys track coach during that span at Dunbar High School, they had numerous regional qualifiers and over 40 state qualifying athletes including medalists and a 4A State Champion 4x100m Relay Team and an overall Team Runner Up at the Texas State Track Meet as well as 2 National Champion Relays in 1999. He was fortunate enough to coach three US Army All-American Football Players and had 20 Track and Field athletes named All-American during this time. In 2004 Tom moved to the Houston area and served as the Assistant Head Coach from 2004-2007 at Aldine High School and qualified for the playoffs in 2006.
In 2007 Tom was hired as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Sinton High School and served in this capacity for 12 years. During his 12 seasons at Sinton, he compiled an overall record of 106-40 which includes eight district championships, two state semi-finals, two state quarter-finals, and a regional semi-final appearance. In 2008 he was named South Texas Coach of the Year by the Corpus Christi Caller Times. That year Sinton was also named the Texas 3A Army Strong Team of the Year. He was named the district Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2010 & 2014 he was the regional nominee to coach the THSCA All-Star Football South Team. In 2010 he and his staff were chosen to coach the Coastal Bend Al Amin Shriner Football All-Star Classic. Tom also served as a Director for the Coastal Bend Coaches Association from 2009-2018, and served as the President of the CBCA in 2014. In 2015 he was elected to the Texas High School Coaches Association Board of Directors where he served as the Region 7 Director-Elect. In 2018, he was inducted into the CBCA Hall of Honor. Coach also had the great fortune to be selected as an Honorary Referee of the UIL State Track Meet in 2019.
Tom was a devoted father, husband, friend, and mentor who was an inspiration to all who met him. To his children, he was a role model that exemplified how to be selfless, patient, hardworking and kind each and every day. He was a beloved and cherished husband, and his family adored him. He developed friendships easily by his wonderful attitude towards life and was able to find a connection with everyone. His sense of humor was unmatched, with his unique sayings, larger than life stories, and infectious laughter. As a coach, he had an unrivaled passion for the game and treated each of his players like family, encouraging them to reach their greatest potential both on and off the field. He taught that “There is nothing you can’t do. There’s no door you can’t open. Because guess what? If it’s locked, you’re gonna knock it down.” He impacted not only the students, but also the coaches, teachers and staff who had the honor of working with him throughout the years. Coach Allen was a mentor to countless educators and coaches, and his legacy will live on through them for many years to come.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Theo Allen. He is survived by the love of his life and devoted wife, Dana Allen; his sons, Tanner Allen (Taylor), Brian Allen (Victoria), and Jackson Allen; his daughter, Kendall Dunn (William), and his soon-to-be granddaughter, Teagan Rae Allen. He is also survived by his mother Linda Allen and his sister Teresa Lambert (Danny); father-in-law Gary Calvert; brother-in-law Brett Calvert (Bianca); sister-in-law Joanne Czarnecki (Andrew); and his nieces and nephews Tyler Lambert, Devin Lambert (Macy), Jackie Reyna (Austin), Brett Calvert Jr, Jessica and Joey Czarnecki.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 3, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home in Sinton. A Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, 1:00 PM at Sinton High School football stadium. Burial will follow in Sinton Cemetery in Sinton.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Harrison, Keith Garcia, DeRick Castro, Tyler Handson, Colton Cohea, Mark Villarreal, Tristan Canales and Andrew McGowan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the MSA Coalition.
Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com
Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.
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