Born Wednesday, February 21, 1934 in Cambridge Mass., he was the son of the late Anthony and Josephine Allen. He was the husband of Rebecca Boyum Allen of Cherokee and was formerly married to the late Elizabeth Ragan Allen of Massachusetts.

He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the U.S. Air Force, and of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the American Legion, Steve Youndeer Post in Cherokee.

He spent a total of 27 years in the U.S. military. He served 2&rac12; tours of duty in Vietnam, piloting attack helicopters. He was shot down twice in Vietnam and spent time as a P.O.W.&bsp; He received numerous medals for his military service, including two Purple Hearts.

Surviving are a son, Anthony Simon Allen III of Michigan, two grandchildren, Brittney and Alexis, a daughter, Theresa Dimmick of Forest City, N.C., and Rebecca&squo;s children, Dr. Peter Boyum of Stillwater, Minn., Dr. Thann R. Boyum of Columbus and William Boyum, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, of Cherokee.

Visitation will be held at the Macedonia Baptist Church on Soco Road in Cherokee on Tuesday, August 18 from 12 noon until 2 p.m.&bsp; The funeral service will be held following the visitation at 2 p.m. Interment will be in the Yellow Hill Veteran&squo;s Cemetery, Cherokee.&bsp; Arrangements are being handled by Long House Funeral Home, 407 Wolftown Road, Cherokee, N.C. 28719.