Cause of Death: Drowning

The Natchitoches Times, pg 1, August 11, 1960

Johnny Allen is Victim of Cane River Drowning

Funeral services for Johnny David Allen, 17, were held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Oak Grove Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Graham officiating, assisted by the Rev. W. L. Blackwell and the Rev. L. M. Sawyer, the pastor.  Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of James Coco of First NationAL Funeral Home.

Young Allen, a Natchitoches High School graduate, drowned Friday about 7:30 p.m. in Cane River near the upper dam.  His father, J.D. Allen, and his two younger brothers, Jackie And Richard, were riding in a motor boat when Jackie fell from the boat.  His father jumped in to save him and the boat landed on the bank saving the other child.

Johnny was sitting on the bank with his mother at the time and waded, then swam over to try to help his father.  He had turned back when he sank.  He was an excellent swimmer.  He was given artificial respiration for two hours, but did not revive.

In addition to his parents and brothers, the young man is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Rodgers of Houston, Tex., Mrs. Nelda Barling of Alexandra, and Miss Judy Allen of Natchitoches; his paternal grandfather, John Floyd Allen of Hornbeck; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Stephens, Sr. of Natchitoches.

Pallbearers were Tommy Coleman, Jimmy Gallien, Lynn Allen, Preston Williams, Lehman Youngblood, and Donald Stephens.