Clinton,

John Elam Allen, Jr., 79, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Sampson Regional Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, November 15th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Cemetery in Newton Grove.  The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the graveside.

John, born June 5, 1946, in Harnett County, was the son of the late John Elam Allen, Sr. and Ruth Adams Allen Knowles.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Doris Elaine Monk Allen, whom he met while attending Hobbton High School and was married to for 59 years.

John impacted the lives of thousands in his role as school principal in Johnston and Sampson County schools, including Hargrove, Union, and Midway.  His granddaddy always told him that you were supposed to leave this world a better place than you found it, and he always tried to live by that.

He was known as an avid antique collector and had a great sense of humor.  He loved to tell stories, and “most of them were true.”    

Survivors include his son Jonathan E. Allen and wife Julie of Fairfax Station, VA, daughter Janna A. Laton and husband Neil of Fuquay Varina, and their children Caroline Allen Laton and John Cooper Laton, and sister Debbie Oxendine and husband Larry of Spring Hope.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Sampson County Schools, 437 Rowan Road, Clinton, NC  28328.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com.