David William Allen, age 86, of Matagorda took his last flight on July 12, 2021 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on February 17, 1935 in Houston, Texas, to Perry Bester Allen and Grace Phoebe Zeuch Allen.

David was raised in Spring, Texas, graduated from Conroe High School and attended Texas A&M University.

He married the love of his life and his best friend's sister, Virginia Carol Balloun, on June 16, 1964 and had three children, Julie Anne, Elicia Lynn, and David Jr.

David served his country in the United States Army for twenty years. He served two tours in Vietnam, one of which was with the Ghostriders of the 189th Assault Helicopter Company, and was there during the Tet Offensive. He served with the Army Security Agency in Vietnam and Germany. He was a dual rated pilot, a test pilot, and a distinguished Chief Warrant Officer. David was awarded numerous medals, including the Soldiers Medal, awarded to him for his heroism and selflessness.

After retiring from the United States Army, he moved his family to Matagorda, Texas, to fulfill his dream of being on the water and owning his own shrimp boat. He captained the Miss Grace along with his family for eight years and opened his own business. He was a charter member of the VFW 4459 in Matagorda and a lifetime member of the VFW. David was a member of the Matagorda Masonic Lodge #7 and served as a Master Mason. He loved being involved with his church, spending time in his garden and greenhouse, making picante sauce and pickling, and cooking for community fundraisers including the Crisis Center, Matagorda Fire Department, and the VFW.  He especially enjoyed cooking with the Low Budget Bums. He loved helping people and always came to the aid of others. He was known for donating his world-famous picante sauce for numerous fundraisers and charitable events.

There was nothing David could not do from building, plumbing, electrical work, growing and canning vegetables, hunting, fishing, and so much more. He made sure that each of his children knew all of these traits, as well.

He was a Christian, patriot, and a true aggie. He was, and is, and will remain a great man, husband, father, brother-in-law, grandfather, friend, and mentor to all who were lucky enough to meet and know him.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Perry Bester and Grace Phoebe Zeuch Allen, and his sister, Phoebe Goedecke. He is survived by his wife Carol Allen; his children, Julie and Ray Culver, Jr., Elicia Allen and Harry Schreffler, and David and Sheila Allen; his grandchildren, Cassie Culver and fiancé Cole Leissner, Miranda Doyle, Brynner Doyle, and David William Allen III, "Trey"; brother-in-law, Rudolph Goedecke; and sisters-in-law, Mary Joe Janac, Yvonne Balloun, and Linda Balloun.

Services will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at St. Peter Lutheran Church with Vicar Laura Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives afterwards at the church. Honorary pallbearer – George Deshotels.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, located at 3000 9th Street, Bay City, Texas, 77414; the Matagorda Cemetery Association - Post Office Box 24, Matagorda, Texas, 77457; and the Matagorda Masonic Lodge # 7 Scholarship Fund, Post Office Box 31, Matagorda, Texas, 77457