Arnold Allen - Byng High School Senior PictureArnold's parents were Norine Jones Allen and Joseph "Joe" E. Allen. They had three other children in addition to Arnold, Carmon Lee Allen of Oklahoma City, Joyce Francis Allen Harber of Tulsa, and Clyde Edward Allen (deceased). Due to Arnold's tragic loss of his mother to illness when he was almost 7 years old, he had a difficult childhood living in orphanages and foster homes. Despite those hardships he excelled in school and was the only one of the children to receive a B.S. Degree. This was due to his hard work and intelligence and also thanks to George and Dorothy Milligan of Byng who gave him a home for the first two years of college. Arnold's other siblings were also very intelligent, and especially his brothers who were both high achievers.
Arnold graduated from Byng High School near Ada, Oklahoma in 1956. He went to East Central University while working full time and got his B.S. in Math and Physics. He served his country in the Air Force for 4 years where he learned and worked in electronics and later cryptography.
After graduating from ECU in 1964 he worked as a mathematician in the space program and in the electronics field doing communications and navigation on the F-111 fighter-bomber. He also worked on electronic countermeasures.
Arnold 1964 - East Central University
At one time, he worked on some early versions of e-mail for military use. It wasn't called e-mail then. Later, he worked as a computer systems analyst and computer technician. Until his recent retirement, he was a customer engineer with BancTec for 20 years. He repaired and maintained large check sorting machines and other equipment in banks. He is a great troubleshooter. I learned from observing his troubleshooting skills that it takes a very logical mind and a great deal of patience to excel at that. Arnold always autographs his work with excellence.
Arnold 1964
Arnold is very creative. He is always inventing and designing things. He can fix almost anything broken whether it be in electronics, electrical, plumbing, or other mechanical devices. I often call him "My Hubby the Inventor."
Arnold working on a wind power project in 1974.
He was also working on an electric car.
It is a lot harder for him to function since his first brain surgery (not by Dr. Francel) which damaged his several cranial nerves causing him to have problems determining where objects are in space and to see double all the time. It is often frustrating doing projects that would have been so easy and enjoyable before, but he persists because he loves them.
Arnold 1967Here are a few projects Arnold has done since retirement in February of 2006. I am showing them to demonstrate how well he is functioning neurologically since his surgeries. I am very impressed with the beautiful work he does. Determination to succeed and skill are responsible. Below are: the new wood fence (individual boards he cut and put together) with two gates (nothing prefabricated), back porch canopy (he made the windows), and the new bathroom in the basement (a huge challenge).
New Basement Bathroom
Arnold has a son James and girlfriend Liz, and a step-son David and wife Amber. He is married to Nancy Allen. He plays tennis several times a week. Tennis is his favorite sport. In the past he has enjoyed hiking, camping, and snow skiing.
Recently he refurbished his late father in law's tennis barn that has an inside court. It had fallen in disrepair when Orval became sick with Alzheimer's. It is great to use in inclement weather.
Since Orval's death on January 25, 2008 Arnold has taken over the management of his 99 acre farm near Ada. Although it can be very demanding work, Arnold has found it a place of enjoyment and peace. The farm had been neglected after Orval's death. Arnold has done a fine job with limited resources to get the place looking great.
Farmer Allen on Orval's old Massey Ferguson Tractor
Click here to learn how Arnold and Nancy met and married
Nancy, Arnold's wifeArnold's greatest victory was beating a deadly, life-threatening brain tumor in 1999 with the help of Dr. Paul Francel and our heavenly father.
Arnold in 1973 with his Chevy Blazer
one of his favorite vehiclesArnold has lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, and California. He has traveled widely in the United States. He is a Christian who grew up attending Southern Baptist Churches.
These are relatives that I, put on the Genealogy website for our Arnold's family and on Findagrave.com
which is an excellent tool for genealogy searchers.
The primary surname on his Mother's Side is Jones.
The primary surname on his Dad's side is Allen.
Arnold 1990
News Flash - I am still tumor free based on my March 6, 2009 MRI.
Thank you Dr. Francel for 10 great years August 17, 2009!!! Arnold Allen
Stories with Arnold
