Timothy Randall "Randy" Allen

Timothy Randall “Randy” Allen was born on November 12, 1946 in Wilmington, NC to the late Thomas Earl Allen Sr. and Catherine Anderson Allen. He attended Chestnut Street School and later graduated from New Hanover High School in 1966.

From an early age, Randy had a passion for airplanes and always dreamt of becoming a pilot. He often joked that he wasn’t the best student in school as he would skip school most of the time to go hang out at the airport. He worked gassing planes for Pennington’s Flying Service and later took lessons, learning to fly in a J-3 Piper Cub. Upon graduating from high school, Randy moved to Ardmore, OK to fulfill his lifelong dream and attended American Flyers Flight Academy. He then went on to become one of the youngest pilots to fly for Piedmont Airlines, later becoming US Airways. He was a Captain and Check airman on the Boeing 737-300/400 and was a highly-respected flight instructor throughout the training department until his retirement in 2003.

Randy loved introducing others to aviation – many times giving folks their first airplane ride in his J-3 Piper Cub and teaching them to fly whether it be at Twin Lakes Airport in Advance, NC or Stag Air Park in Burgaw, NC. He never met a stranger at the airport and loved to talk about airplanes. For many years, he remained active in the aviation community, participating in many fly-ins and as an active member of EAA 297 and the Piedmont Silver Eagles.

While he certainly loved flying, Randy was most proud of his family. He was a devoted and beloved son, father, grandfather, father-in-law, husband, cousin and friend. He was a proud and doting father to Susan and Brian, and his two grandchildren, Emily “Emmie” and Elliott. They were his whole world. Randy lost his battle to illness on January 16, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Earl Allen Sr. and Catherine Anderson Allen; and his brother, Thomas Earl Allen Jr. 

Randy is survived by his wife, Debby Lipton Allen; children, Susan Allen Bennett (Davis) of Greensboro, NC and Randal Brian Allen (Hannah) of Bermuda Run, NC; grandchildren, Emily Bennett Starkey (Jordan) of Kernersville, NC and Elliott Davis Bennett of Greensboro, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

 A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 24, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Welcome, 404 Welcome-Arcadia Rd, Lexington, NC 27295.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and extreme gratitude to the nurses and care staff at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston Salem, NC who selflessly took care of Randy in his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation in Randy’s memory to Trellis Supportive Care.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Allen family.