Thomas (Tom) Hudson Allen Iv

Tom was born at McDill Air Force Base, in Fort Meyers, Florida.  He grew up in Valley Stream and East Northport, Long Island, New York.  He graduated from Northport High School, where he met his wife of 61 years, Linda Linford.  In 1967 the family moved to Federal Way, Washington.

Tom worked for Perter Kiewit Son’s company for 26 years, retiring in 1994 at age 50 after attaining the level of District Manager.  Tom worked on projects in Seattle as well as; Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska; Pheonix, Arizona; Hanford, Washington; Los Angeles and Omaha, Nebraska.

One of Tom’s dearest loves was opera.  Tom served on the Seattle Opera Board for 20 years.  Working as the Seattle Opera’s representative on the McCaw Hall renovation.  He worked tirelessly to find and build Seattle Opera’s new home.  He was one of the founding members and first President of Seattle Opera’s Wagner and More Opera group.  He travelled around the world for opera, with the last trip to Brisbane Australia, in December last year, to hear a ‘new’ staging of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.   But Tom always said, "no one ever beats Seattle’s Ring."

Another serious passion of Tom’s was in antique carousel preservation. He served on the Board of the National Carousel Association. He was also active in the American Carousel Society, The Washington Antique Carousel Society and Carousel West.  He and his wife have a prominent collection of carousel figures (from previously broken up carousels).  When Linda voiced a dream of bringing an antique carousel to Seattle, (which at the time was the only major city in the US without an antique carousel) Tom said, “let’s do it now.”  So, 2000 they bought PTC#45, which they donated to the Woodland Park Zoological Society.  After 6 years of ’city politics’ the 48 wooden hand-carved horse carousel began spinning the Zoo.  It has raised almost $5,000,000 for the Zoo.  On October 6th and 7th, the zoo will be celebrating “Tom Allen Days” with free carousel rides.

Tom is survived by his wife Linda and 2 children, Candy Allen-Whitney (Ken) and Thomas Hudson Allen V, and 2 grandchildren, Amanda Allen, and Thomas Hudson Allen VI, better known as Hudson.  And sister-in-law, Katie Allen and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration-of-Life service is planned for Saturday, October 19th at 1 pm., at First United Methodist Church, at 2nd and Denny, Seattle, Tom’s church for over 30 years.  With a celebration to follow.

Please share memories & photos on the Tribute Wall, located above.

Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle