Damon E. Allen
Encyclopedia
Damon Earl Allen, Sr., was an optometrist from Campbellsville
in central Kentucky
, who as a three-term president of the Kentucky Optometric Association led the campaign to procure passage in the Kentucky State Legislature of a bill permitting optometrists to prescribe medication for their patients.
Allen was honored by the KOA as the first recipient of its "Lifetime Achievement Award", which thereafter bears Allen's name. Allen maintained his practice in Columbia
, the seat of nearby Adair County
. He was also active in the American Optometric Association and its Doctors Without Borders auxiliary, a select group of optometrists chosen to demonstrate new techniques to colleagues in China
.
Allen was born to John W. Allen and the former Nannie White in rural
Fordsville
, in Ohio County
in western Kentucky. The family thereafter moved to Campbellsville, where Allen graduated in 1939 from Campbellsville High School. He then attended Ohio State University
at Columbus
. In 1949, he received his doctor of optometry at Illinois College of Optometry
in Chicago. Allen served in the United States Army Air Corps
, forerunner of the Air Force
, as a bombardier
during World War II
and was a member of the American Legion
.
Dr. Frank Metzmeier, a nursing home operator from Campellsville, recalls Allen as "community-oriented, very civic-minded. He was very outgoing and caring. He always had a smile and was always interested in talking to everyone."
Allen was also an amateur aerial photographer who photographed the area that became Green River Lake State Park
. He was a member of the Campbellsville Lions Club, the Campbellsville Country Club, and the Taylor County
Board of Health.
On April 16, 1944, Allen married the former Shirley Brooks (February 8, 1926—August 18, 2006), previously of Texas
. Allen died in Elizabethtown
. Survivors included four sons, John B. and Cathy Allen of Campbellsville, Damon E. Allen Jr. of Southington
, Connecticut
, Richard R. Allen of Rossville
, Tennessee
, Robert Bradley Allen and wife, Yvonne Allen. of San Antonio
, Texas
; two daughters, Linda A. Pearl and Sherry A. Williams, both of Bowling Green
; two sisters, Clara Lee Rafferty and Mabel Smith, both of Campbellsville; fifteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Patty Gail Allen; two daughters-in-law, Jo Ann Little Allen and Audra Richardson Allen; and a brother and a sister, James W. Allen and Josie Ann Newcomb.
Services were held at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville. Interment was at Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with full military honors by the Marion County
Veterans Honor Guard.
The Kentucky State Senate on May 8, 2009, passed a resolution honoring Allen's lifetime achievements. The Senate noted that Allen also volunteered his services through the charitable Kentucky Vision Project.
Campbellsville, Kentucky
Campbellsville is a city in Taylor County, Kentucky, United States. The population within city limits was 10,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taylor County, and the home of Campbellsville University...
in central Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, who as a three-term president of the Kentucky Optometric Association led the campaign to procure passage in the Kentucky State Legislature of a bill permitting optometrists to prescribe medication for their patients.
Allen was honored by the KOA as the first recipient of its "Lifetime Achievement Award", which thereafter bears Allen's name. Allen maintained his practice in Columbia
Columbia, Kentucky
Columbia is a city in Adair County, Kentucky, United States, just above Russell Creek. The area was settled around 1802 by Daniel Trabue. The post office was opened on April 1, 1806 by John Field, who also ran a local store. The population was 4,014 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of...
, the seat of nearby Adair County
Adair County, Kentucky
Adair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population is 18,656. Its county seat is Columbia, Kentucky. The county is named for John Adair, then Speaker of the House in Kentucky and later Governor of Kentucky ....
. He was also active in the American Optometric Association and its Doctors Without Borders auxiliary, a select group of optometrists chosen to demonstrate new techniques to colleagues in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Allen was born to John W. Allen and the former Nannie White in rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
Fordsville
Fordsville, Kentucky
Fordsville is a city in Ohio County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 531 at the 2000 census. The town is named for early merchant Elisha Ford.-Geography:Fordsville is located at ....
, in Ohio County
Ohio County, Kentucky
Ohio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,916. Its county seat is Hartford. The county is named for the Ohio River, which originally formed its northern boundary. It is a dry county, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or...
in western Kentucky. The family thereafter moved to Campbellsville, where Allen graduated in 1939 from Campbellsville High School. He then attended Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
at Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. In 1949, he received his doctor of optometry at Illinois College of Optometry
Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry is a 4-year private optometry college located in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Graduating approximately 160 optometrists a year, it is the largest optometry college in the United States and is the oldest continually operating educational facility dedicated solely...
in Chicago. Allen served in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
, forerunner of the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, as a bombardier
Bombardier (air force)
A bombardier , in the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force, or a bomb aimer, in the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces, was the crewman of a bomber responsible for assisting the navigator in guiding the plane to a bombing target and releasing the aircraft's bomb...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was a member of the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
.
Dr. Frank Metzmeier, a nursing home operator from Campellsville, recalls Allen as "community-oriented, very civic-minded. He was very outgoing and caring. He always had a smile and was always interested in talking to everyone."
Allen was also an amateur aerial photographer who photographed the area that became Green River Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park is a park located near Campbellsville, Kentucky in Taylor County. The park itself encompasses , while Green River Lake, its major feature, covers approximately .-External links:**...
. He was a member of the Campbellsville Lions Club, the Campbellsville Country Club, and the Taylor County
Taylor County, Kentucky
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,927. Its county seat is Campbellsville. The county is named for President Zachary Taylor, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor is a moist county...
Board of Health.
On April 16, 1944, Allen married the former Shirley Brooks (February 8, 1926—August 18, 2006), previously of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Allen died in Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state...
. Survivors included four sons, John B. and Cathy Allen of Campbellsville, Damon E. Allen Jr. of Southington
Southington, Connecticut
Southington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of Connecticut's 1st congressional district. It is situated about 20 miles southwest of Hartford, about 80 miles northeast of New York City, 105 miles southwest of Boston and 77 miles west of Providence...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Richard R. Allen of Rossville
Rossville, Tennessee
Rossville is a town in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 664 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Rossville is located at ....
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, Robert Bradley Allen and wife, Yvonne Allen. of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
; two daughters, Linda A. Pearl and Sherry A. Williams, both of Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
; two sisters, Clara Lee Rafferty and Mabel Smith, both of Campbellsville; fifteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Patty Gail Allen; two daughters-in-law, Jo Ann Little Allen and Audra Richardson Allen; and a brother and a sister, James W. Allen and Josie Ann Newcomb.
Services were held at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville. Interment was at Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with full military honors by the Marion County
Marion County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,212 people, 6,613 households, and 4,754 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of...
Veterans Honor Guard.
The Kentucky State Senate on May 8, 2009, passed a resolution honoring Allen's lifetime achievements. The Senate noted that Allen also volunteered his services through the charitable Kentucky Vision Project.