More detail on this person: ALLEN, John Michael, born in Temple, Texas, May 17, 1949, died
peacefully at sea on October 9 (U.S. time), and October 10 (Italian time) 2016, between Kotor,
Montenegro and the island of Sicily in the Adriatic Sea.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Camille Wyman Allen, son, Michael Shane Allen, daughters,
Christine Allen Rodesney and Angela Allen Weems; brothers, James Lander Allen, Robert Harold Allen,
Clifton Eugene Allen and William Lloyd Allen; stepdaughter, Shannon Reid Conley Harris and many
grand and great-grandchildren; devoted brother-in-law, Charles D. Wyman.
Predeceased by father, Herman Roy Allen, mother, Dorothy Katharine McBride Allen, brother, Thomas
Roy Allen.
He was a graduate of Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas, and attended the University of
Texas at Arlington. Serving his country as a Chief Warrant Officer during the Vietnam Conflict, he
was a highly decorated combat helicopter pilot receiving an Air Medal for Valor, two Silver Stars
for Valor, and 3 Bronze Stars for Valor. Those who knew him well recalled that he would say, when
asked, about his service, "I tried to bring back as many Americans as I could. Alive."
He retired from General Motors as a Supervisor, where he worked for more than 30 years in both Texas
and the Spring Hill Saturn plant. In retirement, he enjoyed his job at the Columbia, TN YMCA, and
ultimately found new purpose assisting returning military veterans in middle Tennessee to find
employment, through his work for the State of Tennessee, Department of Labor.
In John's free time, he had many interests, especially researching his family history through
genealogical resources and traveling with Camille all over the southern United States to small
county seats, both taking joy in their discoveries in libraries, archives and cemeteries of both of
their ancestors. John meticulously traced his heritage and compiled volumes of information and took
delight in copying his children with his findings. At the time of his death, he was, as usual,
discovering new family facts, and had recently submitted his samples for DNA confirmation. Having
great interest in his Scottish heritage, John was particularly devoted to researching and
participating in all things Celtic. As a couple, John and Camille shared many mutual hobbies, one of
which was antiquing and collecting more than they needed, but always found a place for in their
rambling old house. The genealogy trips always included visits to local small shops to pursue the
habit and hobby.
Although not truly a hobby, it was a love that both Camille and John took seriously, in caring for
their plethora of animals over the years who gave joy and meaning to every day. John leaves behind
in Cami's care their beloved Boston Terrier, Minnie Mayo and a most grateful and loving 10-pound
foundling, Buster Bear. Equally adored are cats: Noah, Braveheart, Tortie, Micajah, Munchkin and
Gaston.
As a final note, John died on a much anticipated trip with Camille aboard the small Windjammer ship
"Legend," with stops including Venice, many ancient towns in Croatia and the Adriatic Coast, and
then the west coast of Italy, ending in Rome. John planned this trip on his own, and enjoyed every
minute, taking delight in each port, as well as aboard the ship as he and Cami made friends with
crew, staff and many other passengers.
The family gives special thanks to so many people, including the officers and crew of "Legend,"
Mechele McDaniel (AAA Travel). Joy Dove (TN Career Center, State Of TN)) and the many downtown
neighbors ("The Center of the Universe") and close friends who pitched in to support Camille in all
things after John's passing.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to John's favorite charities: Proverbs1210rescue.org
(animal rescue); Sisters Nest, 2203 Denham Ave., Columbia, TN 38401(temporary housing for homeless
female veterans). Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Services will be handled by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia, TN on Saturday, October 29
with visitation between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 pm, Graveside service at 2:00 pm, with military honors,
at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Franklin, TN. 931-388-4711
Published in Tennessean on Oct. 27, 2016.
Texas Birth Records has John Michael Allen, born 17 May 1949 to Herman Roy Allen and Dorothy
Katherine McBride in Bell County.
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
Burial information: Mount Hope Cemetery, Franklin, TN
This information was last updated 01/29/2017
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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