Obituary: Ronald (Ron) Allen

Clovis - Ron Allen was born on November 27th, 1949 and died on November 6th, 2023 in Amarillo, TX . In between that time, he had a life full of experiences around the world. Born to Delbert Allen and Kewpie Dee Craig, he spent the majority of his childhood with his grand-parents, Duey and Agnes Allen. After they passed away, he went on to live at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, TX until his graduation in summer of 1968.

After some listless years (and by his own words) of "honky tonkin," he enlisted in the USAF in July, 1971 to avoid being drafted by less desirable branches of the military. He completed his basic training in 6 weeks, and compared to his time at Boys Ranch, it was a cake walk for him. After basic training, he was assigned to Munitions Specialty, or more commonly known as AMMO.

His first overseas assignment was at Urdon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in 1971 for the U.S. during the Vietnam War. It was there that he would meet his wife to be, and partner until death, Phuy Phai Songkanam. During his time in Thailand, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal of which there are only 15-16 higher possible medals to receive, a remarkable accomplishment for an NCO. He also received the AF Commendation Medal for action taken above and beyond his standard duty, a recipient for the AF Outstanding Unit Award with two silver clusters and a "V" for Valor meaning he likely took part in operations that saved many American lives. He was a small arms expert and maintained good conduct throughout his entire service. He received the AF Foreign Unit award from the Republic of Vietnam with a gallantry cross unit citation indicating he had saved Republic Vietnamese soldiers' lives as well as Americans.

He then spent several years assigned in various locations in Asia and the Force Base in Okinawa, Japan in 1974, where he adopted his only child, Lonnie Dee Allen through the LDS Church adoption services from Osan, Korea in 1976. He was next assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where his Christian faith, and connection to the church deepened, then to Lowry Air Force base in Denver, CO from 1980-1983, then to Osan Air Base, Korea for TDY from 1984-1985 while his family lived in Amarillo, TX. He was finally assigned to Cannon Air Force Base, in Clovis, NM in 1985. He would retire with 22 years of distinguished service to the USAF on October 31st, 1993.

Ron would earn two Associate's degrees from the Clovis Community College, one in 1993 for the arts, and another for Applied Science in Criminal Justice with honors in 2006. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in History from ENMU in 1998. Ron would spend the remainder of his career as a teacher for Clovis High School from Aug 11th, 1999 until the end of the school year of 2004, and for Choices Alternative School from the 2005 school year until his retirement from complete retirement from teaching in May, 2012. Teaching would be some of his most meaningful years of providing support for his many students. Help and support he often felt missing from his own troubled youth.

Ron would be become skilled jeweler during his retirement, and he maintained an eager willingness to be anyone's budget repairman. Ron was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. He was both ornery and the sweetest man imaginable. He loved his family, his country, and God. He was a Christian, a patriot, and a provider. All who knew him wish he was still here pulling our legs about this whole thing. He will be so missed, as they don't make 'em like him anymore.

He is preceded in death by his father, Delbert Allen. He is survived by: his mother, Kewpie Bay; his wife, Phuy Phai Allen; his son, Lonnie Allen; his grandsons, Sebastian and Ian Allen; his siblings, Olan Bay and Darla Thorne; and bunch of nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved the heck out of. A memorial was held at the LDS church on November 11th, in Clovis, NM and a burial service was held at Llano Cemetary in Amarillo, TX on November 20th, 2023.

You may message any remembrance or view a tribute video of Ron at: https://bit.ly/3sFnQsa In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Volley for Veterans in his name.