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He moved his young family to Washington, DC, taking a job as a speech writer. For many years, he ran a trade association, Agriculture Council of America, where he made lifelong friends. He returned to writing in the 1980s, completing Katyn: the Untold Story of Stalin’s Polish Massacre. A critically acclaimed bestseller, Katyn instilled in Allen a love of Poland and the Polish people. As a Fulbright Scholar, he and Betsy lived in Krakow and Warsaw, Poland. In 2008, the Polish president awarded Allen the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit.  A memorable moment came in 2010 when Allen flew with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk and former president Lech Walesa to meet with Vladimir Putin, who finally acknowledged Soviet Union’s complicity in the Katyn massacre. Allen was invited to return to the site three days later with Poland’s president. He declined the trip and the plane crashed, killing all 96 passengers.\n\nAllen and Betsy eventually returned to Raleigh where he continued to write. One of his favorite book topics focused on his beloved dog, Honey, a “Carolina Dog.”  Just this year, he  completed a book on Research Triangle Park co-authored with his son Mack due for release on October 6 and a novel about Poland titled My Warrior Queen. He had more planned. Allen also became deeply engaged in the economic recovery of Aurora following the devastation of Hurricane Irene in 2011.  Allen was instrumental in the development of an industrial park that now houses a branch of Beaufort County Community College. He has maintained a home near Campbell’s Creek, which has long served as a gathering place for family and friends and the site of many of Allen’s best memories.\n\nAllen’s greatest legacy relates to his family and all those he has helped through the years. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, his indomitable partner and supporter. He is also survived by children, Jennifer Paul, and former husband Parker Daniell, and Mack Paul, and wife Julie, of Raleigh. Allen was immensely proud of them and his grandchildren, Erin Daniell, Tyler Daniell, Emma Paul and Lee Paul as well as Emma’s husband, Matthew McMillan, great grandson, Ewan McMillan, and Erin’s fiancé Lamont Actkinson. Allen is predeceased by his parents Mack Allen Paul, Jr. and Elaine Mayo Paul and his brother Ken, who served in Vietnam and died too young in 1987. He is survived by siblings Jonathan, Mary and Chris – all of whom were with him on his last day. Allen was also close to their families: Brenda Paul (wife of Jonathan), Jonathan’s son, Soloman Paul, Suzanne Paul (wife of Chris) and their sons Bryan and Lucas. Many of them paid a visit during Allen’s final days. \n\nAllen’s death creates a big hole for those who knew him. He will be missed but his memory and legacy will continue. (Donations can be made to the Partnership for Aurora-Richland Township Progress at https://www.partp.org/donate).\n\nA memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. on June 30, 2026 at Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel in Dix Park, Raleigh."}},"city":"Raleigh","state":"North Carolina","deathdate":"2026-05-26","age":86,"image":{"localFile":{"publicURL":"/static/eb3843992a10104e9514d6ad4b6c3107/object_Object_a9ac757abc.jpeg"}}},"services":{"edges":[{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Direct Cremation","slug":"cremation","path":"/services/cremation","icon":"icons/icon-urn.svg","price":"$1196.75","blurb":"Nobody likes surprise costs added in at the last minute. We guarantee you will not find any hidden charges here. We include everything you need for a simple or direct cremation. Simple, affordable and reliable. We have not changed the cost of our direct cremation service since we opened City of Oaks in 2012."},"excerpt":"Direct or Simple Cremation $1196.75 When calling another funeral home to compare cost, it is important to ask how much the total invoice…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Cremation with Solidified Remains","slug":"Cremation with Solidified Remains","path":"/services/cremation-with-solidified-remains","icon":"icons/icon-stones.svg","price":"$2875.66","blurb":"We offer the option of choosing how you receive your loved ones remains. Selecting our Direct Cremation with Solidified Remains option is a beautiful way to transform cremated remains into 40-60 “stones” that you can hold."},"excerpt":"Cremation with Solidified Remains $2875.66 City of Oaks Cremation provides an affordable cremation option with the service of transforming…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Cremation with Visitation","slug":"cremation & visitation","path":"/services/cremation-with-visitation","icon":"icons/icon-podium.svg","price":"$1917.84","blurb":"City of Oaks Funeral Home and Cremation provides an affordable cremation option with onsite visitation. Nobody likes surprise costs added in at the last minute. We guarantee you will not find any hidden charges here.  Simple, affordable and reliable."},"excerpt":"Cremation with Visitation $1917.84 City of Oaks Funeral Home and Cremation provides an affordable cremation option with onsite visitation…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Cremation with Private Family Viewing","slug":"private viewing cremation","path":"/services/cremation-with-private-family-viewing","icon":"icons/icon-podium.svg","price":"$1596.75","blurb":"City of Oaks Funeral Home and Cremation provides an affordable cremation with a private family viewing. A private family viewing allows up to 10 immediate family members or friends to spend time with a loved one when a public visitation is not preferred."},"excerpt":"Cremation with Private Family Viewing $1596.75 City of Oaks Funeral Home and Cremation provides an affordable cremation option with onsite…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Immediate Burial","slug":"burial","path":"/services/burial","icon":"icons/icon-grave-flowers.svg","price":"$2497.50","blurb":"An immediate burial has the same end result as a traditional burial; however, we have eliminated the extra (sometimes unnecessary) services prior to getting to the cemetery. Not everyone wants an open casket for viewing or a limousine for the family. Despite the term immediate, we can move as fast as you need or as slow as you like. This option simply allows you to save money by eliminating some of the fancy extras at the funeral home."},"excerpt":"Immediate Burial $2497.50 An Immediate Burial is when the body is taken directly from the place of death (or from the morgue) to the…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Traditional Funeral","slug":"funeral","path":"/services/funeral","icon":"icons/icon-podium.svg","price":"$6081.48","blurb":"We offer the same traditional funeral services as the big corporately owned funeral homes in the area; however, we cost about half the amount. You might consider a traditional funeral service if your family is looking for an open casket visitation, a traditional church service or a funeral service in the funeral home's chapel. A traditional funeral service can be altered to fit the needs of your family."},"excerpt":"Traditional Funeral Service $6081.48 City of Oaks Funeral Home is a wise choice for families that desire to honor their loved one with time…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Green Burial","slug":"green burial","path":"/services/green-burial","icon":"icons/icon-grave-flowers-green.svg","price":"$3033.75","blurb":"This establishment is one of a select number of funeral homes who meet the criteria for providing green funeral service by the Green Burial Council; a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization working to encourage environmentally sustainability in the field of funeral service. Our Green options allow for a funeral to take place without the use of toxic and non-biodegradable materials/chemicals."},"excerpt":"Green Burial $3033.75 This establishment is one of a select number of funeral homes who meet the criteria for providing green funeral…"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Alkaline Hydrolysis","slug":"alkaline-hydrolysis","path":"/services/alkaline-hydrolysis","icon":"icons/icon-urn.svg","price":"$2640.59","blurb":"As an alternative to traditional cremation, City of Oaks Funeral Home offers Alkaline Hydrolysis. The Alkaline Hydrolysis process uses a solution of water and potassium hydroxide to facilitate natural decomposition."},"excerpt":"Alkaline Hydrolysis $2640.59 As an alternative to traditional cremation, City of Oaks Funeral Home offers Alkaline Hydrolysis.\nThe Alkaline…"}}]},"cities":{"edges":[{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Apex","path":"/city/apex"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Apex.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Asheville","path":"/city/asheville"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Asheville.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Cary","path":"/city/cary"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Cary.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Chapel Hill","path":"/city/chapelhill"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Chapel Hill.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Clayton","path":"/city/clayton"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Clayton.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Creedmoor","path":"/city/creedmoor"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Creedmoor.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Durham","path":"/city/durham"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Durham.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Fayetteville","path":"/city/fayetteville"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Fayetteville.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Four Oaks","path":"/city/fouroaks"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Four Oaks.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Franklinton","path":"/city/franklinton"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Franklinton.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Fuquay-Varina","path":"/city/fuquay-varina"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Fuquay Varina.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Garner","path":"/city/garner"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Garner.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Goldsboro","path":"/city/goldsboro"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Goldsboro.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Henderson","path":"/city/henderson"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Henderson.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Hillsborough","path":"/city/hillsborough"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Hillsborough.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Holly Springs","path":"/city/hollysprings"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Holly Springs.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Knightdale","path":"/city/knightdale"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Knightdale.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Louisburg","path":"/city/louisburg"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Louisburg.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Morrisville","path":"/city/morrisville"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Morrisville.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Pittsboro","path":"/city/pittsboro"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Pittsboro.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Raleigh","path":"/city/raleigh"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Raleigh.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Rocky Mount","path":"/city/rockymount"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Rocky Mount.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Roxboro","path":"/city/roxboro"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Roxboro.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Selma","path":"/city/selma"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Selma.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Smithfield","path":"/city/smithfield"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Smithfield.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Wake Forest","path":"/city/wakeforest"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Wake Forest.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Wendell","path":"/city/wendell"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Wendell.md"}},{"node":{"frontmatter":{"title":"Zebulon","path":"/city/zebulon"},"fileAbsolutePath":"/home/runner/work/oaks2/oaks2/content/cities/Zebulon.md"}}]}},"pageContext":{"id":"aac1f03d-3df1-5263-861d-04ea5f6f90e5"}},
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