THOMAS STANLEY "TOM" ALLEN ~ Class of 1952
1934 - November 24, 2010

~

Tom Allen, 76, passed away November 24, 2010, suddenly and will be greatly missed by his family, close friends and all those who knew him.

Tom, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and caring friend was born in Boulder, CO, living his early years in a log house in Nederland, CO, policing the town on his pony to keep the cattle out. When he was 10 years old, he moved to Richland, with his family where his dad found employment on the Hanford site. He attended Jefferson Elementary school in the same class with Nancy Browning who he would later marry.

Tom graduated in 1952 from Columbia High and soon entered the Navy serving in the Korean War as a damage control specialist which became a passion for the rest of his life. Tom married Nancy, the 'catch of his life,' in 1954 and soon after Scott was born in San Diego. Tom was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1956. He started his career with the Boeing Crash and Rescue Fire Department supporting flight testing of the Boeing B-52 and KC-135 airplanes in Moses Lake, WA. where his beautiful daughter Julie was born, completing his family.

In 1962, Tom moved his family to Richland to be with his ill father and began work with the Hanford Fire Department. Tom lived and breathed the fire service and enjoyed his career with the Hanford Fire Department, retiring as Deputy Chief in 1989, leaving behind many men and women he had touched along the way for the benefit of the fire service.

Tom and Nancy retired early together and enjoyed RVing for several years before settling in Yuma, AZ, during the winter months meeting many friends and enjoying good times. A few years ago, Tom and Nancy returned to Richland and spent their time close to their family and grandchildren.

Tom and Nancy lived a wonderful life together. They could sit for hours telling stories about their adventures riding motorcycles, Priest Lake vacations with family and friends, waterskiing, fishing, and parties. The most fun was the way they finished each others sentences, stealing punch lines and agreeing to disagree about what really happened.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his son Scott (Abby); daughter, Julie (Jon); grandchildren, Jeremy, Carly, Darcy, Russ, Eileen; and great-grandchildren, Antoni, Ameile, and Mayzee.

To honor Tom's wishes there will be no services. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association.

Published in Tri-City Herald on November 27, 2010.

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