Allen Saylor

Allen Saylor passed away January 21, 2025 at age 65 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

He was a graduate of Arkadelphia High School (77) and earned a bachelor of science in education from Henderson State University. At Henderson, he was a two-time First Team All-AIC Pitcher for the Reddies from 1978-1980. He compiled an 11-4 record with a 1.61 ERA in 95 innings of work while striking out 94 batters. In 1979, he helped lead the Reddies to the AIC Championship with a 5-1 record, 3 saves, and a 1.00 earned-run average. In 1980 he posted a 6-2 record with 53 punch-outs in 58 2/3 innings while achieving a 1.24 ERA. At HSU he won the National American Taekwondo Association championship as a yellow, green and blue belt, and finished third as a red belt. In 1979, he coached 13-year-old Clark County Babe Ruth League all-stars who claimed the state championship.

Nicknamed “Sea Dog”, Saylor signed a contract to play professional baseball briefly as a pitcher with the Cleveland Indians in 1982. In 1986 he began four years of teaching and coaching in Texarkana, Arkansas, as an 8th grade earth science teacher, as well as assistant Jr. high football, basketball and varsity baseball coach. While there, he coached the American Legion Texarkana Razorbacks to the 1989 state title; the team's first state championship in 62 years.

In 1989, he transferred to Lake Hamilton Jr. High for 27 years, where his duties included: junior high assistant football, varsity assistant baseball, and head varsity baseball coach, as well as junior high earth science teacher and school bus driver. Saylor also engaged in a science “rocket” project for the youngsters at Lake Hamilton Jr. High for over 15 years; an activity that earned him the awards of the local chapter and state Air Force Association Teacher of the Year in 2010. In the summer, he was also a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 2017, Allen was inducted into the Henderson Reddies Hall of Honor for his athletic accomplishments during his studies there. 

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, Neville and Earney Saylor, and by his brother, Jack Saylor. 

Allen is survived by three children, Brittany Glusac of Lewisville, TX; Heather Glenn of Denham Springs, Louisiana; Rocky Saylor of Hot Springs; three sisters, Cheryll Javaherian of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Anita Gray of Russellville, Arkansas, and Jeanne Coker of Burnsville, Minnesota. 

The family would like to thank Ms. Mary Nemes of “Mary's Places,” and the Gentiva Hospice team for their attentive care of Allen during the last few months of his life. 

Gifts in lieu of flowers are suggested to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or The American Heart Association.