James R. Allen

James R. Allen, 73, of Volney, NY, passed away peacefully on March 01, 2023 after a courageous and challenging encounter with stage 4 colon cancer. He was surrounded with love, laughs, music, origami cranes, and artwork.

A great friend, an exceptional companion, and the best Dad anyone could ever ask for - To say that he was the kindest and most pure soul to have lived on the Earth would be underselling him. He showered everyone around him with peace and love. He was willing to do anything for anyone, no matter the situation, and with no questions asked. There’s no one who could ever have anything bad to say about him.

Born to William and Florence Allen, Jim grew up and helped on his parent’s farm with his four siblings. He graduated from G. Ray Bodley, enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War (and never cut his hair through any of it), and was a dedicated machinist for 38 years. He was married to his soulmate for 13,669 days.

He enjoyed tinkering with everything and working on classic cars - especially his 1934 Oldsmobile. He was a founding member of the Black Crick Rat Rodders. There wasn't anything that he couldn't fix, and if he didn't know how, he always had the confidence to try and figure it out anyway. He had endless pride in himself and for those who he cared about.

He loved being in nature - soaking up some sun, listening to the birds, picking out good rocks at the lake, and looking for eagles soaring overhead. He was able to find the magic in the simple things. Sometimes he found it in a single black-eyed susan on the side of the road; sometimes it came from racing down the road when he heard a train coming to count the cars; and sometimes that magic came in the form of going Christmas tree hunting on the snowiest day in December and bringing back the biggest tree he could find. He was always optimistic and smiling, and he usually had a thumbs up, peace sign, or some bunny ears for a photo. His light was what our world needed.

When his energy became too large for his physical vessel, his journey soaring onward toward his next adventure in the universe was a peaceful and beautiful, yet heartbreaking, gift. He surrounded us in his love. He is survived by his wife of 900 lifetimes, Roseann “Mrs. Jym” Allen; daughter Jessica R. Allen and her partner Timothy “Goliath” O'Connor. His siblings Barbara Jean (Ray) Porter; Gloria (Reuben) Porter; Kathleen (Frank) Kemp; Wayne Allen. His “peeps” Melissa (Addie) Aubin; Alma (David, Eddie) Miller-Glick; numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held from 12-2 pm at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay Street, Fulton, on March 25, 2023. A service with military honors will take place at 2:30 pm. Please wear your happiest and most colorful attire - “everybody is welcome, with peace and love”. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oswego Animal Shelter, 621 E. Seneca Street, Oswego, NY 13126 in Jim's name.