Donald Allen

Donald Clinton Allen died at home on August 21 from pancreatic cancer. Born in Spokane, WA, he attended Princeton University from 1950 until 1953. It was possible then to enter law school after only 3 years of college. Don entered Gonzaga Law School but was drafted for the Korean War. He graduated from the Army Counter Intelligence School in Baltimore and served as a CIC investigator. He attended the University of Baltimore Law School at night while working for several insurance companies. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1959.

Don started his own law firm in Baltimore after 5 years of experience in another firm. Allen, Thieblot and Alexander eventually grew to Allen, Johnson, Alexander and Karp with an additional office in Washington, DC. He represented several major corporations including: Otis Elevator, Montgomery Elevator, Carrier Corp., Ramada Inns, Alcoa and McGraw Edison as well as several insurance companies.

Don was hired by the Maryland General Assembly to redraft the Maryland Health Laws, Mental Health Laws and Welfare Laws. He was president of the Metropolitan Association of Defense Trial Counsel and was the charter president of the Maryland Association of Defense Counsel. He served on the Character Committee of the Court of Appeals of MD and was on the Attorney Grievance Commission of MD. He was on the Lawyer Assistance Committee of the United States District Court for the state of MD and the Governor's Task Force on Liability Insurance. He was admitted to the Bar of the United States District Court, the Fourth Circuit of Appeals, the Supreme Court of the United States and to the courts of Fairfax County, VA and West Virginia.

Don and his wife of 39 years, Carolyn, first visited Jackson in 1980 staying at the White Grass Ranch. They bought a condo in the Village in 1983, loved Jackson so much that they built a house, and when Don retired in 1994, moved to Jackson permanently. After many years of working hard, Don loved nothing more than James Bond movies, playing golf and cross country skiing at Teton Pines where he was an investor. He was usually the first on the course in both seasons. He recently served as the Treasurer of Teton Pines. He spent these Jackson years supporting his wife's many volunteer activities behind the scenes putting up with her many hours away from home, decorations all over the house, hauling a float for the 4th of July parade, and building things with nary a complaint.

Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn; 4 children; Joan Duffy (Tim), Susan Kamauff, Patsy Allen in Baltimore and Mike Allen of Victor, ID: 2 stepchildren; Kristan Wun in Richmond, VA and Ashley Gregory in Baltimore; 7 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

Don did not want a funeral and has been cremated. Donations may be made to charities of choice.

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