Layton Southerland Allen, 88

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Layton Southerland Allen of Chestertown died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, in Heron Point, Chestertown. He was 88.

A former lifelong resident of Wilmington, Del., he lived at Heron Point since 1992.

He was born Feb. 8, 1919, in Wilmington.

Mr. Allen attended Friends School at 4th West. He graduated from Severn School before receiving an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, entering the summer of 1938.

He graduated with the class of 1942 in December 1941, just before the Pearl Harbor attack.

Mr. Allen's active duty assignments during World War II included USS Colorado (BB-45), USS Iowa (BB-61), USS Ranger (CV-4) and USS Lexington (CV-16). Aboard the USS Lexington, he earned a Purple Heart in November 1944 and a Presidential Unit Citation.

He completed naval flight training in Pensacola, Fla., and pinned on his "wings" as the war was ending.

On May 25, 1943, Mr. Allen married Anne Taylor Landon of Norfolk, Va., and Wilmington.

After retiring from active service at the end of the war, he worked a short time for National Vulcanized Fiber until he was hired by Travelers Insurance Co.

Mr. Allen spent may years as a successful agent and earned membership in the Million Dollar Club for a number of years.

In 1968, he formed a brokerage with Charles R. Conner and George Prouse.

He retired from Allen, Conner, Prouse, in 1982.

Throughout his life he was an ardent patriot and was devoted to three things, family, genealogy and Navy football.

He is survived by his wife, Anne; children, Layton S. Allen Jr. (USNA '66) and wife Alison, George L. Allen and wife Linda, Martha Bragg Allen Salmonson and husband John, and Richard Lockwood Allen and wife Kim; four grandchildren, Beth, Eric, George and Andrew; five great-grandchildren, Ian, Eric, Landon, Marisol and Joaquin; a sister, Deborah S. Apple; brother and sister-in-law, Robert Bragg Landon and Gail White Landon; and first cousins, John Herbert Hollingsworth, David Southerland Hollingsworth and Claire Southerland Bailey.

Interment is planned at the Garth at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chestertown after a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Jan. 26.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be sent to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 101 N. Cross St., Chestertown, MD 21620.

Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown.