Jesse Allen

Jesse B Allen, 88, of Albuquerque New Mexico, went to Heaven on February23, 2022.

He was a Distinguished Engineer of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, home-based in Albuquerque NM from 1960 to 1997, retiring but returning for another 10 years until 2008. He worked on projects all over the U.S., South Pacific, Europe, and Viet Nam in service to his country.

In addition to work, Jesse was a family man and served others. Jesse was very active in his church; volunteered at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission; was a volunteer and Board member of the Telephone Museum of NM; served two terms as Vice President and two terms as President of the Coronado Thunderbirds. He was an avid scholar, taking classes whenever he had the opportunity and reading constantly. Jesse was known for his smile, enhanced by his twinkling blue eyes, and always having a story/joke to tell you.

Jesse grew up on a farm in Lincoln County, KY. He graduated from Crab Orchard High School at the age of 16. He attended Spencerian Business College and received a Certificate of Accounting. While at Spencerian, he worked first as a pin setter at a local bowling alley (before they were automated), and then as the night dispatcher for Yellow Trucking line. After receiving his Certificate, he worked for Gordon Foods as a Junior Accountant. In February 1952, Jesse enlisted in the US Air Force moving quickly to staff sergeant. He was released from active duty to attend college; Jesse enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky (UK). While at UK, he worked in the Mathematics Department as a teacher's assistant and tutor; in addition to mathematics, he taught subjects such as Astronomy - the love of space he passed onto his daughters. He was a member of three honor societies: Tau Beta Pi, Etta Kappa Nu, and Pi Mu Epsilon. He was President of the engineering student body his junior year. Jesse received BSEE from UK and MSEE from University of NM, and many certificates of study.

Jesse is predeceased by his parents Nila and Cecil Allen, brothers Cecil Jr and Danny, his daughter Judy Kay Manicki, his niece Linda Allen Gibson, and his nephew Mark Allen. He is survived by his wife, Frances (Fran), daughter Karen Allen Holstein, son-in-law Kevin Manicki, grandchildren Justin (Sarah) Holstein, Nicole Holstein, and Marcus Holstein, brother Marvin (Jane) Allen, nephew Scott (Robin) Allen, niece Carla (Perry) Redmon, Mark's wife Donita Allen, Linda's husband Howard Gibson, and his niece Cathy Allen. He also has several great and  great great nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to list.

Jesse will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Lakewood CO, on Thursday, April 7th, gathering at 11:00am MDST at Area "C."

A Memorial Service, followed by a reception, will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Two O'clock in the afternoon at Del Norte Baptist Church 5800 Montgomery Blvd NE Albuquerque NM 87109

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either

The Rock at Noon Day 2400 2nd St NW Albuquerque NM 87102

Or

Telephone Museum of New Mexico Attn: Susie Turner, Treasurer  PO Box 16174  Albuquerque NM87191