Philip Allen

SOUTH OGDEN‒The times surrounding the year 1931 were important in history not only because it was the year of Phil’s birth but because it was the middle of the “Great Depression”. Unemployment was 24%, “the Star-Spangled Banner” became the National Anthem, Herbert Hoover was President, cost of a first-class stamp was 2 cents. With this start, he was privileged to live through the greatest time in the greatest country in the world. 

He was born in La Ceiba Honduras to Woodruff Lloyd and Mary Anna Adair Allen where they had gone for employment during the depression. He grew up in Richfield, Utah, where he was the star center on the Wildcats basketball team and played in the Shriners all star game of 1949. 

On learning the local National Guard’s activation for deployment in Korea, he joined and went with the 213th Armored Field Artillery to fight in the “forgotten war”. The highlight of this tour was the battle of Kapyong where the 213th received the distinguished Unit Award for bravery and accomplishments. He served 13 months in the war.

Almost immediately after returning, he enrolled in engineering at Utah State Agricultural College; now known as Utah State University. On graduation he worked with an engineering firm out of Cleveland, Ohio; then Sperry Utah Co. in Salt Lake City, then 20 something years at Hill Air Force Base. At Hill AFB he worked in the Aircraft Structural Engineering Section conducting stress analysis and designing repairs and modifications to the F-101, F-4, and F-16 Aircraft. After retiring in 1993, he was idle for about 4 years and then “failed retirement” by going back to work half-time at an aerospace company for another 11 years. 

During his working years, he enjoyed many outdoor activities; backpacking and river running were his favorites. He outfitted a boat and led many trips down the Green River, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Yampa, San Jaun, and other minor ones. A special float trip was a private one down the Colorado River from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead with a wild bunch of rowdies. He was also a Hunter Safety Instructor, MRA Lie Member, and Red Cross trained First Aid, CPR, and AED.

Phil married Janet Lee Busk Nelson in 1956, and they later divorced. They had two children, Steven Lee and Stan Douglas. He later met and married Janice Herrod Cashmore. Surviving are sons, Steven and Stan; stepdaughter, Laura Lee Nelson; two granddaughters, Mindy Allen Dodge and Vail Elizabeth Allen; Janice’s children, Kip (Kit) Cashmore and Penni (Kevin) Ward and grandchildren, Heather Cashmore Nilson, Halston Cashmore, Brooke Cashmore Sharifan, Megan Cashmore, Kacie Cashmore, Courtnie Ward, Colin Ward, Chase Ward, Colton Ward, Mason Ward, McKenna Ward, Chandler Ward, and Dakota Ward; and 19 ½ great-grandchildren; with whom he had grown very close during the years. He was a fantastic grandpa and mentor to the whole family. Also surviving are brothers, Gerald Dare Allen, and Ronald Dean Allen; sisters, Yolande Tew and Carol Fowler. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice and his parents.

Phil does not want anyone to mourn his passing because he is now in a better place. He was helped along the way by his friends at Washington Heights Church in South Ogden, of which he was a member. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.