Beloved Community Spotlight

Fr. Denny Allman has lived a life that stretches wide across geography, vocation, and faith. Born in Oklahoma, with a childhood shaped mostly in Kansas and adolescence in New Mexico, his story is one of movement, discovery, and deep-rooted connection.

That connection is perhaps most evident in his 74-year marriage to his wife, Norma. The two met as students at the University of New Mexico at a fraternity party in December 1950. What began as a chance meeting soon grew into something lasting. After Fr. Denny joined the Navy, they carried on a long-distance romance for a year before marrying in April 1952. “We’ve pretty much been joined at the hip ever since,” he says.

Together, they built a family that now includes two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Their son Paul lives in Baton Rouge and attends St. Margaret’s, while son Kerry is in Seattle and daughter Laura is in Austin. About his family, Fr. Denny smiles and offers a line that captures both humor and gratitude: “We’ve got a good family…nobody’s in jail.”

Life has taken Fr. Denny and Norma far and wide—“coast to coast and border to border,” as he puts it—living in seven states and traveling to 11 countries along the way. Of all those places, San Diego holds a special place in his memory. “The weather was near perfect,” he recalls, though it wasn’t just the climate that made an impression. It was there that an Episcopal rector helped shape Fr. Denny’s spiritual life in a profound way, offering mentorship and a strong foundation that would guide him for years to come.

Fr. Denny describes his professional life as having three distinct chapters: sailor, computer engineer, and priest. He spent time in the Navy, followed by a 25-year career in computer engineering. Then, in 1981, something shifted. “The Holy Spirit just kept working on me,” he says. Though he had been raised “unchurched” and only occasionally attended services as a young adult, that persistent nudge eventually led him to seminary.

After completing seminary, Fr. Denny served as a priest for four years in Inverness, Mississippi—a small town in the heart of cotton country. He then spent 10 years as a priest in Vicksburg before retiring in 1998. In retirement, he continued as a supply priest for several more years.

Norma’s path complemented his in its own steady way. While raising their children, she was a stay-at-home mom, later working as a medical secretary once the kids were grown. She also brought a lifelong connection to the Episcopal Church, having been raised in the church following her father and grandfather. During the early years of their marriage, she took the children to church, even when Fr. Denny did not attend—a quiet faithfulness that over time became part of his journey.

In 2014, at the encouragement of their children to be closer to family, Fr. Denny and Norma moved to Baton Rouge. After a bit of “church shopping,” they found their way to St. Margaret’s, where Paul was already attending. It didn’t take long to feel at home.

“The congregation at St. Margaret’s is phenomenal,” Fr. Denny says. “The people are friendly, and there’s a strong core. I love the acquaintances and the friendships we’ve made. I like the inclusiveness particularly—everyone is welcome.”

That sense of acceptance has been deeply meaningful to him. “The people at St. Margaret’s let you be who you are,” he says. “They don’t try to change you or force things on you. They just allow you to be who you are.”

Recently, Fr. Denny and Norma moved to an assisted living community, though they remain firmly rooted in Baton Rouge and in the life of the church. Their pace has slowed some—Fr. Denny’s once-beloved hobbies of restoring old cars and gardening have given way to quieter days, and poor eyesight has made reading more difficult—but the spirit of gratitude remains strong. Norma still enjoys memories of her years playing bridge, and together they reflect often on the life they’ve shared. “We’ve had a blessed life,” Fr. Denny says simply. “The Lord has been good to us. We have truly had a joyful life.”

If you ask him how he hopes to be remembered, he offers something disarmingly humble: “I’d like to be remembered as one of the good guys…whatever that means.”

If you see Fr. Denny around St. Margaret’s, take a moment to say hello. You’ll likely find a warm story, a bit of wisdom, and a life well lived—shared generously with anyone willing to listen. And when you meet him, don’t stand on ceremony. “The Lord knows me as Denny,” he says with a smile, “and that ought to be pretty good for everybody.”