Robert Coleman Allen, Sr., age 78, of Grifton, NC died on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Universal Health Systems Hospice in Greenville, NC. He was born on November 26, 1930 to Marion Lucas Allen and Mallie Coleman Allen in Dillon County, SC. He served in the United States Army in Korea and Viet Nam. He later worked for the Department of Defense as an electronics engineer and in communications.

Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, Lura Morgan Allen of Grifton, NC; two sons, Richard Coleman Allen, Jr. of Asheville, NC and Thomas Patrick Allen of Portland, OR; two daughters, Mariannne Leah Smith of Staunton, VA and Jennifer Elizabeth Jordan of Chocowinity, NC; two brothers, John Maurice Allen of Austin, TX and Kenneth Allen of San Antonio, TX; one sister, Barbara Hill of Valhalla, TX; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral arrangements are private.