Joshua David Allen

Joshua David Allen was born October 23, 2001 in Plano, Texas and passed away on February 20, 2016, at the age of 14, after a courageous 2-1/2 year battle with a rare form of childhood cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. Joshua was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend who wanted to be remembered, most of all, for loving everyone. Up until the month before his passing, Joshua attended 8th grade at Carpenter Middle School, where he excelled both academically and socially. Joshua was a Cub Scout throughout elementary school and moved on to Boy Scouts at the end of 5th grade, attaining the rank of First Class Scout. Joshua had recently developed an interest in theater, participating in the school play in November and planning to try out for the lead in the spring production. Joshua loved to go camping, ride his bike, watch movies, and play video games, but his greatest passion was music. He loved to listen to the radio and sing along with his favorite songs, and he played both the piano and the bassoon. He was active in both his school and church choirs, singing at the 8:15 Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano every Sunday morning. Joshua also served as a childhood cancer advocate, promoting the need for increased funding for pediatric cancer research, and was the face of a community blood drive in December that brought in 112 units of blood in seven hours.

Most important of all, however, is the way that Joshua lived his life during the short 14 years he spent with us. Joshua was always a kind, loving, compassionate, and giving child, with an amazing passion for life and a faith that surpassed that of many much older than him. Throughout his cancer journey, Joshua remained positive and happy. The strength and grace with which he tackled his disease were an inspiration to all who knew him, and his absence will be deeply felt by many. Joshua was a guest on a radio show in November at which he told his story and, when asked what he would say to another child in his situation, he answered, "Live it like it's your last day. Try to be the best person you can be." Joshua lived that philosophy every day of his life and, as a result, will leave a lasting legacy.

Joshua is survived by his parents, Todd & Christine Allen, his brother Gabriel and sister Kathryn, grandparents, William & Darleen Sherman and David & Terri Allen, aunts and uncles, Janel & Philip Delfeld, Rebecca & Thomas Price, and Martin Sherman, and cousins, Jacob & Zachary Price and Corey & Madelyn Delfeld, as well as a large and loving extended family and many wonderful friends.

Visitation will be Friday, February 26th, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 pm in room 130 of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Faith Formation Center, located at 3100 W. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, February 27th at 1:00 pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, located at 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, with a reception to follow. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Rowlett, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be made to St. Baldrick's Foundation (www.stbaldricks.org), which funds pediatric cancer research.