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: 11/02/2023
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