George Edward Allen, Jr., M.D., went home to be with the Lord on May 11, 2021, after a short bout with cancer. He was 83. Dr. Allen served the Chattanooga community as a beloved emergency room physician at Memorial Hospital for 25 years before retiring in the early 2000s. Before that he was a family practice doctor in Leeds, Alabama from 1963-1979. He graduated from Memphis State University in 1958 and the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1962. Dr. Allen was a member of the Men’s 60+ Sunday School Class at Abba’s House.
Dr. Allen is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janice Spence Allen, three children, Matthew Allen (Konnie), Sherry Allen, and Cyndi Allen, three grandchildren, Bryson Harris, Alissa Pagano (David), and Ashley Allen, one great-grandchild, Emma Rose Pagano, a brother-in-law, Barry Holland, and several nieces and nephews. Chattanooga physician Larry Stone, M.D. was his closest friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Allen, Sr. and Thelma Jean Allen, and his precious sister, Carolyn Holland.
In recent days, the family has been touched by hearing Dr. Allen’s friends and colleagues tell stories of his impact on the lives of many. Dr. Allen treated all patients with dignity and compassion. At times, he could be outwardly gruff, but he also could be equally quick with a word of wisdom or kind encouragement – or a mild rebuke for those who needed to “straighten up and fly right.” He expected a lot of others, but he expected more of himself. As Dr. Stone put it, he had an uncommon gift of being able to relate to all kinds of people. One of his former colleagues and hospice doctor, Dr. Randy Heisser, called him “intuitively brilliant” at emergency medicine.
Dr. Allen was an old-school practitioner of medicine. He loved to wear cowboy boots, hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors. He enjoyed chicken livers, Krispy Kreme donuts, and chocolate milk. He also was a life-long Tennessee Vols fan, enjoying wins and lamenting losses of the football, basketball, and softball teams.
In 2017, George and Janice moved to Garden Plaza of Greenbriar Cove, where he headed up the employee gift fund and took a leadership role in the community. He played a mean game of Rummikube and Hangman, as other residents of Garden Plaza can attest. He will be missed by many, but his family looks forward to reuniting with him in eternity.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, May 14, and 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Dr. Allen’s Life will follow at 1 pm on Saturday at the North Chapel with Brother Jerry Turner officiating. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to either the Ronald McDonald House of Chattanooga, 200 Central Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403 or www.rmhchattanooga.com or the Abba House Celebration Fund, 5208 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343 or www.abbashouse.com
If you aren’t comfortable in attending the service you may join us live for the service at https://www.facebook.com/chattanooganorthchapel/
We respectfully request that "social distancing", wearing masks at all times, and all CDC measures be followed at the funeral home and cemetery.
