HOLT, AL — Former Northport City Council member and beloved local radio personalty James "Cap" Ray Allen has died.
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He was 75.
Authorities confirmed to Patch that deputies responded to his home in Holt around 4:45 a.m. Thursday to find that Allen had died sometime overnight, presumably of natural causes.
Born Nov. 17, 1950 and claiming Dothan as his hometown, Allen graduated from Erwin High school in 1969 and attended Jefferson State Community College, where he studied marketing and broadcasting
He then continued his education at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1973 with a degree in broadcast and film.
While at the Capstone, he participated in the Million Dollar Band, Student Government Association and University Singers.
His brief career in political office began when Allen defeated incumbent Dan Morrison for the District 1 seat on the Northport City Council in September 2000 to secure his lone term. This election represented a sea change in city leadership that saw voters replace three of four council members and elect a new mayor that cycle.
In a contemporary newspaper account by Tuscaloosa News reporter Moneek Jackson, Allen described his surprise at the outcome and the enthusiasm surrounding the election.
"My first feeling was just numb, but very, very excited about what we have ahead of us," Allen told the newspaper on election night. "I think the people really were looking for new direction — they were looking for new leadership; they were looking for change."
His early tenure on the council coincided with discussions about Northport's future infrastructure needs, including plans for a new police station and other municipal facilities.
Allen also served as vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party from 1996 to 2000.
Along with his public service, Allen was a cat lover, passionate about improving the Holt community, and known by many in Tuscaloosa County by the nickname "Cap Ray" through his work in local radio.
His professional career included serving as a partner at Group One Advertising in the mid 1980s, before going on to work as an area sales manager for Network Telephone Company and then as vice president of sales and operations for Infinityfile LLC.
He later worked as a project manager for Tank Pro Inc. from overseeing municipal water tower rehabilitation projects across the Southeast.
Allen became even more well-known for his recent work as an on-air radio personality, taking to the airwaves as a traffic, news and severe weather reporter for Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.
During that time, he built up a network of loyal traffic spotters and gathered more than 22,000 followers on Facebook.
Funeral arrangements have not been set at this time.
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