Thomas Philip Allen

Attorney Allen assisted numerous grateful clients for whom he advocated their disability rights before the Social Security Administration. For 33 years, Col. Allen served proudly in the uniforms of the US Armed Forces. Col. Allen is survived by his wife of 50 years, Celine Bouchard, a native of Quebec, P.Q., Canada; and his daughter, Paryse Lambert-Watson (Michael) of Jacksonville, FL; and his grandsons Maximilan and Gabriel Lambert.

Thomas P. Allen was born on Feb 15, 1943 in New York City to Sedohr Rhodes and Attorney Thomas H. Allen. He was the grandson of Hon. William Allen, retired Chief Justice of the New York County Supreme Court.

Raised on Long Island to religious parents, Tom Allen was an altar boy throughout high school. He was active in Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary. Cadet Allen was an instructor, a recruiter, and earned his CAP Observer wings. His interest in aviation prompted him to obtain his private pilot’s license in the US and Canada. He worked for New York Airways and Trans World Airlines, at Idlewild Airport (now JFK). At TWA, he was promoted to lead agent.

In 1960, he was graduated from Chaminade High School, Mineola, L.I. with a Merit Scholarship with three diplomas and with MENSA certification. He graduated Phi Sigma Kappa in 1966 from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y. with a Bachelor of Science and a commission as a Lieutenant in the US Air Force.

In the Air Force, Captain Allen was Mobility Officer for the 1966 movement of the entire 4th Tactical Fighter Wing from Goldsboro, NC to Osan AB, Korea, in support of the "Pueblo Crisis." He served in 1968 at Istanbul, Turkey. In Viet-Nam, he was the manager of the Air Passenger Terminal of Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, 1970-1971. Later overseas duty saw him posted to Madrid, Spain; Kaiserslautern, Germany; NATO in Belgium and to travel in 17 countries.

On active duty, first in the Air Force, and then in the Army, Capt. Allen was a commercial transportation officer (TMO).

He finished 10 years active duty in 1976 serving with Gen. Alexander Haig, Commander of NATO-SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium. He received US Army-Europe award for best Traffic Manager Operation.. He departed NATO, in 1976, to begin law school, He received two Air Force Commendation Medals, two Army Commendation medals among 13 other decorations. He received marksmanship awards as he scored Expert in Rifle and Pistol.

In the US Army Reserve, he graduated from Command and General Staff College and attended Air War College. Lt. Colonel Allen was a CGSC instructor from 1982, ending his career as Dean for Broward County in 1992, as his unit was deactivated.

He was recalled to active duty in 1991 for Desert Storm.

Thomas Allen studied law, at Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, and was graduated in 1978 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. Then he finished training for his Commercial, Instructor Pilot and Air Traffic Control certificates, while working as an on-the-scene aircraft accident investigator, airport safety inspector and in-house counsel for Toplis and Harding. Los Angeles (Lloyds of London).

Attorney Allen became a Member of the Florida Bar in 1980 and the Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in 1982. In Florida, in his legal career, Thomas Allen was General Attorney for the Social Security Administration (SSA), leaving in 1987 to private practice of disability law in Hollywood, Florida.

In the 25 years that Attorney Allen practiced before the SSA, he represented over 4000 Broward and Dade citizens to appeal and win their SSA disability benefits. For several years he served the Veterans Administration as a Veterans’ Guardian for 100% combat or service connected disabled Veterans. In service to the Broward community, Attorney Allen accepted many pro bono cases, from the Legal Aid Society of Broward County and as a member of its Broward Lawyers Care and their Veterans Outreach Program.

For ten years he served as a Magistrate for the Broward County Court, in Hollywood.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Forest Lawn South. A visitation and Celebration for the life lived of Thomas P. Allen will be held Thursday, July 23rd , 2015 from 6-9pm at the funeral home located 2401 Davie Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317 (954)792-9360. On Friday, July 24th, 2015, a solemn Requiem Mass, in Latin, will be held for Mr. Allen at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Chapel located 4580 SW 65th Ave. Davie, FL 33314 at 11am, where he was its sole acolyte at Mass from 1982-1988.

Col. Allen will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery with joint USAF and US Army honors at a later date. This date and time will be available from Forest Lawn South when confirmed. Family requests no flowers. However, donations made to Wounded Warriors, or the Vietnam Veterans are appreciated.