Michael “Mike” Allen, Sr., 69, of Orange, Texas, passed away on May 1, 2018, in Orange.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018, St. Henry Catholic Chruch in Bridge City. Officiating will be Father Steve Leger of St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on July 12, 1948, he was the son of Loretus LaMarr Allen and Nola (Breaux) Allen. Michael, also known as “Big Mike” or “Catfish,” grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana and eventually moved to Bridge City, Texas where he lived for 40 years. He attended college at University of Louisiana and Texas A&M University, and played football for both schools. He also played Semi-Pro lacrosse in San Antonio, Texas. Mike was an Iron Workers Union Superintendent at the Goodyear Plant. He was known to tell a tall tale, and has been described as a “man who wore many hats.” Mike was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Bridge City. He enjoyed spending his time traveling, going on cruises with his wife, and duck hunting. Mike will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Mary Allen; and his father, Loretus Allen.

He is survived by his mother, Nola Allen; his children, Michelle LaCombe, and husband Kyle of Lafayette, Edwin Laughlin of Bridge City, Mike Allen, Jr. and wife Jessica of Bridge City, and Bryan Allen and wife Jeana of Bridge City; his grandchildren, Kylie, Quaid, Paige, Blake, Luke, Natalye, Azalie, Michelle, Lily, Mackenzi, Claire, Caleb, and Quinn; his siblings, Ronald W. Allen and David M. Allen; and his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Laughlin.

Serving as pallbearers will be Narry Choate, Sambo Carpenter, Blake Laughlin, Ronnie Allen, Jay Carpenter, Quaid LaCombe, Jacob Worster, Hunter Allen, and Bryan Allen. Honorary pallbearers are Wayne Choate and Roy Bendy.