Allen S. Braumiller

r. Allen S. Braumiller, 75, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Friday, January 29, 2010, in Ocean Springs. On this day a light went out and the world will be a little darker and colder. That light was Allen Spooner Braumiller, born on February 1, 1934, to Jennie and Jack Braumiller in Texarkana, TX. From the beginning of his life, Allen brought sunshine and smiles to everybody around him. His humor was legend and his integrity was endless and everyone was drawn to that. He was good at making everyone he met feel special, a true gift! Allen moved to Gulfport with his parents at age one and grew up there. He was a graduate of Gulfport High and of Ole Miss. He attended the University of Illinois where he earned a masters degree in geology. He was an exploration geologist for Exxon for 12 years and then went to work for Helmerich & Payne, an independent oil company where he was vice president of exploration until his retirement. He then opened his own company, Braumiller & Braumiller, Inc., where he kept active until his death from complications of pneumonia. Although you would never know it because of his humility, Allen garnered many honors in his lifetime, a few being named to Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and a Certificate of Appreciation from the War College for participating in the National Security Seminar in 1989 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He was highly regarded in the oil industry and belonged to several societies. To his friends and family, he was a true scholar, an intellectual, a poet, a comic, a romantic, an entrepreneur and the consummate diplomat! Allen married Patsy McCoy in Oxford, Mississippi in 1955 and they had 54 years of a happy and fulfilling marriage. They had four children; Allen Braumiller, Jr., Dana Nance, Adrienne Braumiller and Colin Braumiller. His children considered him a wonderful role model and the kindest, most loving of fathers. Survivors include 10 grandchildren: Amber Wishart, Nick Braumiller, Suzanne Braumiller, Allen Braumiller III, Christy Braumiller, Tara Braumiller, Ean Sierra, Taylor Nance, Emily Nance and Ana La Rock. He had two great grandchildren: Lando Quan and Lily Quan. He is also survived by two special nieces whom he loved very much, Sue Braumiller and Leslie Baker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and Jack Braumiller and beloved grandparents, Allen and Hattie Spooner. While this is a very sad occasion for us who loved Allen, he would not want us to mourn. He’s in his eternal life, and our loss is heaven’s gain. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, February 1, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs where friends may visit from 11 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs is in charge of arrangements.