Allen Bender was born in Mount Willing, Alabama on August 22, 1930. His mother, Audie Lee Cleghorn was a homemaker, like most women in the Deep South at that time, and his father, Allen Milton Bender was a farmer. Allen was the second born of nine children. His eldest brother died as a young child, making Allen the oldest by age six. He grew up during the Great Depression Era on a small farm with no running water or electricity.
Allen joined the US Navy as soon as he was of age. While stationed in San Diego, CA, his mother became seriously ill and he requested leave to visit her. As fate would have it, while traveling on the cross country bus home, he met a very special lady named Gladys Park traveling with her parents. They were from Oklahoma, but were on vacation in California. Allen and Gladys married on August 9, 1949 until her untimely passing in 1992. They had two children, Robert Allen and Barbara Ann.
While enlisted in the US Navy, Allen earned numerous medals for his outstanding performance including the Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal (three times), National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Korean Service Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He received the Purple Heart Medal for being wounded in combat during the Korean War while serving with the Marine Corps as a medic. He worked at the Naval School of Hospital Administration from 1962 to 1963. He also graduated from George Washington University on the Dean's List with a BA in Social Sciences in 1964 and a MS in Financial Management in 1967.
After retiring from the military as a Lieutenant Commander in 1969 with honorable discharge, he served as president of TVI Corporation, a government contracting company, for many years. He was an avid gardener, genealogist, day-trader, home carpenter, and committed churchgoer for almost 30 years. He had a deep faith and was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church. Being the eldest child growing up during the Depression, he developed a strong work ethic and hardworking nature, yet he lived humbly and generously. He was a father to few, but a mentor to many. His favorite community outreach was feeding the poor.
Affectionately known as Poppy by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Allen loved to enjoy a good meal, Alabama football, and spending time with his family. He also loved to dance, have a good time, and play poker with his family. He was a gentleman and a charmer, with a quick wit and great sense of humor. He was an optimist, a fighter, and rose to any challenge thrown his way. He was the patriarch of our family and had a profound impact on everybody's lives, including those whom he met and considered friends. He will be deeply missed by all, but will live on in our memories of him that we will cherish forever.
Allen is survived by his brothers, John Earl (Nickie) Bender and Guy (Roxanna) Bender; his children, Robert Bender and Barbara Corrice; and his grandchildren, Melissa Kessler, Allen Corrice, April Corrice, Laura Bender, Thomas Bender, and Matthew Bender. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Gladys Bender; his brothers, John Calhoun Bender, Bobby Ruth Bender, and Sam Davis Bender; and his sisters, Margie Ann Bender, Mildred Lee Bender, and Francis Claire Bender.
We will hold a visitation from 2:oopm to 4:oopm, on January 18, 2022 at the Huntt Funeral, Waldorf, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to No Kid Hungry in Allen's name: https://www.nokidhungry.org.
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