Fred Lamarr Allen

Fred L. Allen passed away at his home at the age of 88 on Saturday, December 9, 2023, after a brief illness. Born August 16, 1935, in LaGrange, Georgia, he was the son of Grady and Velma Freeman Allen. Recognized at an early age as a musical prodigy, Allen studied piano, attended Troup County Schools and earned a double bachelor's degree in music and German from LaGrange College, where he met his future wife, the former Winnie Langley of Columbus. The couple married in 1956 and produced a daughter, Allison Elizabeth. Allen began his career teaching music in Columbus public schools while working to earn his master's degree in Psychology and music education from Auburn University. A gifted pianist, organist, singer, actor, musical arranger and choral director, he earned his Actors Equity Association membership card working in summer stock and professional productions, including Atlanta's Theatre of The Stars. In 1963, the Allens moved to New York City for him to begin graduate studies at the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary (now the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music), and he began concurrent work as director of music and organist for the Bernardsville United Methodist Church in New Jersey. During nearly a decade in New York, the entire family enjoyed careers in the theatre, music and entertainment field. Mr. Allen worked as an artist and repertory producer and talent scout for RCA Records, working with such artists as Chet Atkins, Peter Nero, Sam Cooke and Henry Mancini. Allen simultaneously performed in professional theatrical productions while continuing his higher education. He was admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School, where he studied with Hans Heinz, the ultimate authority on the tenor voice, earning the Artist's Diploma in vocal performance. He earned his second master's degree, this one in sacred music, from Union Theological Seminary and completed his doctoral work in adolescent psychology from Columbia University. He studied the Stanislavsky method at The Actors Studio under its legendary director and acting teacher Lee Strasberg. In 1971, the Allens made the decision to move home to the South, and by divine intervention made a last-minute detour to Thomasville en route to a job interview in south Florida. Stopping at Thomasville's First United Methodist Church, which was seeking a music director and organist, Allen led a rehearsal with the chancel choir and impressed both the choristers and church leadership, and the course of local history was changed. With his impressive credentials and talent, Allen soon began attracting students of many faiths and congregations to the church's youth choir, and the resulting group of teenaged singers was organized with 30 charter members as the Thomasville Music & Drama Troupe so they could still participate in their own church choirs and activities. Following the first spring show, the Troupe's waiting list for potential new members quickly grew to over 300. Under the direction and guidance of Fred and Winnie Allen, the Troupe quickly developed a reputation for stellar performances, excellence in sound and diction and stage discipline. Invitations to perform at community events, churches, music festivals and conventions around the Southeast raised the group's profile, culminating in performances at Walt Disney World, Rotary International Convention, New York's Shea Stadium, the White House and, at the invitation of Members of Parliament, a tour of England. Over the years, the Troupe earned citations and proclamations from Governors, Congressmen and Presidents. The Allens also began the tradition of taking Troupe members to New York on impactful and unprecedented theatre enrichment trips, where they would see Broadway shows and interact with current theatre professionals. In the early 1970s, Allen began teaching music and theatre at Brookwood School and Thomasville High School, where he directed the THS Showstoppers show choir and coached the one-act play and student musicians to countless region and state victories and awards at Georgia High School Association festivals, competitions and literary meets. He retired from Thomasville High School in 2000 and was named Director Emeritus of the Thomasville Music & Drama Troupe when he retired from primary responsibilities there in 2009, having served for more than 35 years. Fred Allen's accomplishments were recognized at many levels over the years. In New York, he produced and arranged more than 60 recordings for RCA, earning a Grammy Award nomination. He was honored as Thomasville and Thomas County's Man of the Year in 1977, and he and his wife were named Thomasville and Thomas County's Couple of the Year in 1998, both awards recognizing their distinguished service to youth and their invaluable contributions to the quality of life of the community. For many years, grateful alumni awarded the Fred and Winnie Allen Scholarship to a graduating Troupe senior who best exemplified peer leadership and the characteristics of a role model, and, at Columbus' Richards Middle School, the Fred Allen Outstanding Choral Student Award is still presented annually in his honor. The Allens were recognized and enshrined in LaGrange College's Wall of Distinguished Alumni. Allen is survived by his wife of 67 years, Winnie Langley Allen; his daughter, Allison Allen Cheney (Stephen); three grandsons, Stephen Cheney Jr. (Jessica) of Thomasville, Allen Cheney of Los Angeles, CA, and Scott Cheney (Jordan) of Greenville, SC; and four great grandchildren, Taylor Cheney and Libba Cheney of Thomasville, and Audrey Cheney and Charlie Cheney of Greenville, SC. The Allen family wishes to express their deep appreciation for a special group of faithful caregivers, especially Sharon Jewell, whom they consider family. A visitation for friends was held on Tuesday, December 12, from 5-7 p.m., at the home of Allison and Stephen Cheney, 106 Chukkars Drive. A Celebration of his life will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday December 23, 2023 at Thomasville First Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240 or Thomasville First Methodist Church, P.O. Box 975, Thomasville, GA 31799.