Layton S. Allen

Layton Southerland Allen USN (Ret.) of Chestertown, Maryland died peacefully in his sleep on January 7, 2008 at Heron Point in Chestertown. He was 88. A former lifelong resident of Wilmington, Delaware, he had lived at Heron Point, Chestertown, MD since 1992. He was born on February 8, 1919 in Wilmington, Delaware and he attended Friends School at 4th West. Mr. Allen graduated from Severn School before receiving an appointment to the US Naval Academy, entering the summer of 1938. He graduated with the class of 1942 in December 1941, just before the Pearl Harbor Attack. His active duty assignments during WWII included U.S.S. Colorado (BB-45), U.S.S. Iowa (BB-61), U.S.S. Ranger (CV-4) and U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16). Aboard the U.S.S. Lexington he earned a Purple Heart in November 1944 and Presidential Unit Citation. He completed naval flight training in Pensacola, Florida and pinned on his “wings” as the war was ending. On May 25, 1943 he married the former, Anne Taylor Landon of Norfolk, Virginia and Wilmington, Delaware. 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 Company. He 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, Inc. in 1982. Throughout his life he was an ardent patriot and was devoted to three things, family, genealogy and Navy football. Mr. Allen 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, 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; first cousins, John Herbert Hollingsworth, David Southerland Hollingsworth and Claire Southerland Bailey. Interment is planned at the Garth at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Chestertown, Maryland after a memorial service at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 26, 2008. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 101 North Cross Street, Chestertown, Maryland 21620.