Gene Allison

Frank Eugene (Gene) Allison, age 87 of Nashville, passed away Saturday evening, March 6, 2021.

Gene was born May 25, 1933 in Chattanooga, TN to the late Frank E. Allison and Ruby B. Williams Allison. He was a proud graduate of Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where in 1956 he completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He made many lifelong friends during that time, and there he also met a young Joanne Paul, whom he married in 1960.  Their lives continued together from then until her passing in 2017.

Shortly after their marriage, a career opportunity for Gene led them to Nashville, where they began to raise their family.  During this time, he was an active member of his professional organization ASHRAE, and served as president of the Middle Tennessee Chapter in 1969-1970.  He later chose to start his own business, Allison Engineering Sales Corporation, and continued in that for the remainder of his working career.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having joined through the ROTC during college, and he later fulfilled his duty during peacetime through the U.S. Army Reserve.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

Gene was a dedicated member of Brook Hollow Baptist Church, joining shortly after moving to Nashville, where he and his wife remained a part of the church family for the rest of their lives.  Gene supported the activities of the church in all areas, serving as deacon among other roles, and at times lending his mechanical engineering expertise.  He was particularly fulfilled working in the International Ministry, meeting and making friends from around the world, some of whom he would later visit in Japan and South Korea.  One personal project at the church that he spearheaded was interviewing World War 2 veterans in the congregation, and compiling the stories of their experience into a book.

Throughout his life, Gene loved to travel and see new places all over the U.S. and the world.  He was able to combine his love for travel with his commitment to helping others- and with a group of Georgia Tech friends, he led an effort to build a new church building in Kenai, AK for Mt. Redoubt Baptist Church, which was pastored by a former college classmate.  He later recounted that this experience was one of the most rewarding of his life.

Alaska became a favorite travel destination for Gene and Joanne, as they loved its mountains, landscapes, and extraordinary natural beauty.  They traveled there with both friends and family, and on one trip, Gene was able to travel by small plane to above the Arctic Circle.

Gene had a great love of sports and the outdoors.  He was an avid golfer for years, and he and his wife traveled a number of times to Augusta to watch the Masters.  He was also a big fan of the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Braves.  He enjoyed hiking with family and friends, camping with other families, and rafting trips with his wife, all over the U.S. and Canada.

Above all, Gene always remained faithful to his Creator.  He approached life as a servant, and knew the purpose of his calling and served his Savior throughout.  He was always devoted to caring for his family, friends, church, and the community.  His strength and knowledge, dedication for service, and devotion to his God will be missed by all who knew him.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Joanne Paul Allison; mother Ruby Williams Allison; father Frank E. Allison; and stepmother Dorothy Allison.

He is survived by his two sons: Andy Allison of Los Angeles, CA and Gerald Allison of Ashland City, TN; two nephews: Steve Cowart (June) and Ross Cowart (Diane); and many loved cousins and their families.

A Life Celebration will be held 11:30am, Saturday, March 13th at Brook Hollow Baptist Church. Visitation will be 10:30 – 11:30am, Saturday at church.  Covid protocols will be followed.  The service will also be livestreamed and can be viewed on the church’s YouTube channel.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to the Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc., directed to the ‘Frank Eugene Allison Family Scholarship Endowment’ (noted in check memo), mailed to 760 Spring Street NW, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30308. To donate online, visit https://development.gatech.edu, click "GIVE NOW”, and type ‘Frank Eugene Allison Family Scholarship Endowment’ in the "If Other please specify" field.

Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN, 37221, 615-646-9292, harpethhills.com