2000 Paul Allen

October 26, 1935 - April 13, 2025

Paul Allen was born on October 26, 1935 on a farm in northeastern Nebraska. He graduated from high school in 1953 in Neligh, Nebraska and then from the University of Nebraska in 1958. Paul met his wife, Joan Webster of Kearney, Nebraska, while attending the University. Paul and Joan had three sons, Mark, David and Greg. Mark lives in Edmond, Oklahoma and Greg lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, where they are both very active in their respective communities. David passed away in 1995; “David Allen Ball Park” has been named in his memory.

Paul worked for Hormel Foods after college until he partnered with Dave McLaughlin to start Advance Food Company in 1973. They began with only eight employees and limited business in and around Oklahoma, but over the next 27 years Paul, Dave and their sons would make Advance of Enid’s largest employers. By 2010, Advance Food Company and Advance Brands employed over 2,500 people with nearly $800 million in annual sales.

Paul Allen has been very active in the Enid community and is often heard saying: “The success of Advance would not have been possible without help from the City of Enid and many, many great people who cared so much about the success of the company.”

Videos of Paul Allen

City Connections 2015