Ozle L. Allen, 89, of McMinnville died Monday, May 11, at River Park Hospital.
He was born Feb. 17, 1926 in Warren County and was the retired manager of Ben Lomand Telephone Co-operative where he worked for 44 years. He was a born-again Christian and a 72-year member of Charles Creek the Baptist Church where he served as deacon for 65 years. A World War II veteran, he served with the 972nd Signal Battalion as a cryptographic technician. After serving his country, he had two years at agriculture technical school and worked for the USDA as an engineering aide for two years. Mr. Allen was a lifetime member of the VFW and a lifetime member of the McMinnville Evening Exchange Club. He served on the Warren County School Board twice, the original E-911 Board, the Planning Commission Board, The Warren County Utility Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board and the River Park Hospital Board. In 1997, he received the Chamber’s Distinguished Citizen’s Award. After his first retirement, he began a 19-year career with the Tennessee Rural Communication Corp., Inc., as a Telecommunications Consultant and Lobbyist. He received numerous awards and recognition from the federal and state telecommunications organizations. He was blessed with a full life and many opportunities by the Lord.
He was the son of James Thomas “J.T.” Allen and Ruby Louise Holder Allen, both deceased. His brother, James Worth Allen, also preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia “Pat” Keaton Allen; daughters, Phyllis (Freddie) Young, Debbie Allen, and Ginger (Ralph) Dunn, all of McMinnville; grandchildren, Rickie Young, Candace (Ryan) Smith, and Jacob (Laura) Dunn; great-grandchildren, Emily Young, Travis Young, Addison Smith, Lily Young, Stella Dunn, and Isaac Smith; and sister, Sue Allen Locke of Plano, Ill.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Elder Nick Pelham and elder Darrell Cantrell will officiate. Interment will follow at Charles Creek Cemetery. The Allen family will receive friends from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and again from 8 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Charles Creek Cemetery Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) May 13, 2015