Born in Ayer Massachusetts on May 6, 1925. He was the oldest son of the late Harold Benton Allen and Ethel Jefferson Allen.
Ernie proudly served with the U.S. Army from 1945-1965, taking duty assignments in Maryland, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Hawaii, North Carolina, Illinois, Washington DC, Spain, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. He was trained in electronics engineering, attained the rank of Master Sergeant, and was awarded 8 medals during his 20 years of service across 56 countries and 3 wars. Master Sergeant Allen’s career was one of many years of faithful and devoted service to his country in peace and war. His professional accomplishments, leadership and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to those with whom he has associated and reflected the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.
Upon retiring from military service, Ernie worked for Philco Ford in Thailand and for Westinghouse in Iran, where he met his loving wife Angel in 1972.
In addition to his loving wife Angel, Ernie is survived by his sister Janet Frances Riccio and her husband James Riccio.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Ethel Allen, as well as five siblings, Barbara Allen, Jeanne Marie Young, William Burton Allen, Marjorie Hellen Allen, and Joseph Edward Allen.
A memorial service with military honors will be held promptly at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in the chapel at East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery, 5801 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and a short reception will follow at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to any of the following charities:
• Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
• Shriner’s Hospitals for Children: https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Allen family.
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