James C. (Buddy) Allen

James C. (Buddy) Allen, 84, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital in Knoxville, TN. Buddy was born December 10, 1939, in Maryville, TN and invested his entire life making his beloved community a better place for all.

Buddy was preceded in death by grandparents: Lon and Frankie McNutt Badgett and Jim and Fawn Allen; as well as his mother Frances Badgett Allen and father Jimmy Allen. He is survived by his beautiful bride of 60 years Ann Turner Allen and their children: Terina (Gordon) Bryant, David (Amy) Allen, and Mike (Leeann) Shelton; Grandchildren Elizabeth Stewart, Caleb Shelton, and Isabel, Mia, and J.T. Allen; siblings: Bob Allen of Nashville, TN and Martha (Karen Flathe) Allen of Athens, GA as well as many cousins, two nieces, and dear friends including special family friends Matt Hearon and Lee Cross.

Buddy was class president of the Maryville High School Class of 1958 and was voted most dependable of his graduating class. He worked his way through college working weekends and summers at the City of Maryville Police Department and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Business in 1963. He married Ann on February 6, 1964 and they moved to Fort Hood, TX where he served as a Signal Officer in the United States Army, then returned to Maryville and rejoined the police force until he was offered a position with the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA). He retired from ALCOA in then took a job as a Blount County Sherrif’s deputy. At age 57 he attended a 8-week police academy in Donelson, TN and trained alongside many much younger than himself.

Buddy participated in many local organizations, but his favorite activities were being a cheerleader for his own kids and grandkids and looking for his next serving of banana pudding. He had a plethora of friends from all stages of life and was known for his kindness and compassion to all.

His community involvement includes but is not limited to: Member of Fairview Church and the Sparkplug Sunday School Class, Maryville Housing Authority Board Member, Maryville City Schools Board of Education Member for 12 years; member of Maryville-Alcoa Jaycees, Volunteer at the Community Food Connection and supporting local youth programs. He was also a long-term Maryville Kiwanis member and was honored with the Kiwanian of the Year Award in 2012.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00pm Friday, February 2, 2024, at Fairview Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry, Maryville, TN. Receiving of friends will be immediately following the service. His service will be streamed at https://boxcast.tv/channel/umegs01trpvki4cswfy3.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Buddy’s memory to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs https://www.smokymountainservicedogs.org/donations/, the Maryville High School Football or Basketball program to benefit underserved athletes, or to the Church and Society Fund at Fairview Church.