Allen Howard Somers' Obituary
Lt. Col. Allen Howard Somers of Germantown, TN, – husband, father, grandfather, patriot, golfer and jokester – died peacefully on Sept. 20, 2018 surrounded by a daughter and stepson. His family will miss his tremendous wit, generous spirit, and powerful presence. He embodied the USMC moto, Semper fidelis, “always faithful.” His Marine Corp experience embodied his greatest passion, others. He honored others by always striving to be the best friend and the best man he could be. He loved to take any appropriate opportunity to tell a good joke. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh.Allen Howard Somers was born in Paducah, KY, on July 19, 1929 to Kathlene Allen Somers and Robert Howard Somers. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1953 and served 22 years on active duty in the United State Marine Corp, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.In 1975, he began working at The C.P. Hall Company as the Operations Manager for the Southern Region. He retired in 1991. An avid, lifelong golfer, he quickly turned to dedicating himself to his lifelong passion, the game of golf. Col. Somers was named a committee member of the United States Golf Association in 1992. He served in that capacity while also serving on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Golf Association. He officiated at many professional tournaments, but his passion was officiating amateur tournaments, especially at the collegiate level. He was a long-time member of the Germantown Country Club and was inducted into the Tennessee Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.He was survived by his daughters Margaret Anderson Balogh of Memphis (husband Scott) and Alison Ann Somers of Beaufort, South Carolina. Also, by his step-children, Mike Speros and Sandy Sandouk of Memphis, TN; grandchildren Margaret Sinclair Anderson and David Brooks Anderson of Atlanta, GA.; Kristina Hyde (husband Drew) and Alexis Powers (husband John) of Boulder, CO, Katherine Sandouk of Memphis, and Spero Sandouk of Atlanta. Great-grandchildren include Drew Hyde, Addison Hyde, Cassidy Powers, and Todd Michael Powers. He is also survived by his stepmother, Faye Somers, of Paducah, KY. He is predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Katherine (Kitty) Somers, married July 1, 1972.Viewing and funeral services will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119. The viewing is on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 5-7 p.m., with funeral services on Monday, September 24 at 1 p.m. He will be entombed next to his wife, Kitty.In lieu of floral arrangements, the family asks that donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or to the First Evangelical Church of Christ in Germantown, TN in his memory.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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