Tom Allen
Judge Tom Morris Allen, 89, died on Sunday, September 27, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Born 1926, as Tolbert McGhee Allen, Jr. in Columbus, Ga., to Tolbert and Esther Allen, the family eventually settled in Atlanta. Tom graduated from Tech High School in June, 1944 and having enlisted in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Reserve a year prior to his graduation, he was called to active duty in January, 1945. Trained as a B-17 and B-29 aircraft engine mechanic, Tom served in the Army of Occupation on Okinawa, Japan for the duration of his enlistment.
After military service, Tom returned to Atlanta to pursue a degree in engineering. He initially attended Georgia Tech University, but after gaining an interest in law, Tom transferred to the University of Georgia where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. Having practice law for 19 years in Decatur, Ga., Tom was elected in 1972 to a four-year term with the Superior Court of Georgia as one of only two Republicans at that time to ever hold that office. It was during that period that he legally had his name change to Tom Morris Allen for political considerations. After a Democratic election defeat in 1976, Judge Allen was appointed by the Carter Administration as a United States Administrative Law Judge. He served with the Department of the Interior in Charleston, W.V. until 1982. Tom then transferred to the Department of Social Security Administration in New Orleans, La., and, in 1988, relocated to Chattanooga, where he retired in August of 2001 at the age of 75.
Beyond his professional career, Judge Allen was an explorer, a philanthropist, an author, and a poet.
As an explorer, Tom became involved in the search for a gold mine in Colombia, South America during the 1960s with clues provided by Peter Rainier in the book “Green Fire”, published in 1942. As an author, Tom wrote about his experiences during that time and about the intrigue of war material smuggling from Colombia, S.A. by Nazi Germany: “Declassified: The Colombian Platinum Intrigues of WWII”. As a poet, Judge Allen also published a book of poetry entitled “October Leaves”, with observations from his life's experiences. As a philanthropist, Judge Allen gave life-long support to the Boy Scouts as a Life Scout, an Assistant Scoutmaster, A Scoutmaster, and a Neighborhood Commissioner. During the early 1970's, he formed the first Police Athletic League in the Atlanta area. As a lifelong Mason of the Scottish Rite Order, Judge Allen supported its charities and its building of men with character.
Judge Allen was pre-deceased by his first wife, Patsy Anne Ayers (maiden), a grandson, Jonathan Edward Allen, and his second wife, Ruth Evelyn Thomas (maiden).
Judge Allen is survived by his four children, Elizabeth Allen, Deborah Allen, Robert Allen, Laurie Moity, and three grandchildren: Angel Dingler, Matthew Coulter, and Cody Moity.
Tom's family will be holding a private ceremony in remembrance of Tom's life at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.