House Resolution 435
By: Representatives Buckner of the 137th, Reese of the 140th, Hugley of the 141st, Smith of
the 138th, and Rice of the 139th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Judge John Allen; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Judge John Allen, a native of Columbus, Georgia; decorated fighter pilot;
and exemplary member of the judiciary; and
WHEREAS, Judge John Allen served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with
the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged from service as a captain in 1973,
earning six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 23 Air Medals; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, he pursued legal education at the University of Florida
and returned to Columbus in 1976 to begin his distinguished career in law, later serving as
a judge in the Recorder's Court, State Court, and Superior Court of Muscogee County for a
combined 26 years; and
WHEREAS, a trailblazer for civil rights, Judge John Allen marched in Selma for voting
rights in 1965, and in the 1970s, he co-founded the first integrated law firm in Columbus,
paving the way for greater representation and equality in the legal profession; and
WHEREAS, he served as the chief judge of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit upon his
retirement in 2013 and was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 2020
in recognition of his outstanding service to both his country and his community; and
WHEREAS, his legacy of leadership extended beyond the courtroom through his
involvement in numerous community organizations, including the Columbus Airport
Commission, the Columbus High School Vocational Education Advisory Board, the Urban
League Board of Directors, the Area Ten Special Olympics Advisory Board, and the African
American Historic Preservation Society; and
WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation
for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he
made this world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Judge John Allen will long be remembered
for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great
fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Judge John Allen and
express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Judge John Allen.