Theodore "Ted" Allen

Retired CSGM Theodore Lewis Allen "Ted", 91, of Spring Lake was welcomed into heavenly eternity by his beloved wife Rosalia and many friends, comrades, and animals on February 8, 2024, while surrounded by his loving sons.
Ted was born to the late Virginia Marie Donahue and William Charles Cannan on May 16, 1932, in New Haven, Connecticut. Besides his parents and his wife Rosalia Canali Allen, he is preceded in death by his bonus dad, Jack Donahue.
Ted leaves behind his loving sons, Kerry Allen (Daniele), Scott Allen (Kim), Glenn Allen, and Ted Allen (Teresa); grandchildren, Jeremy Allen, Keri Garrett (Kris), Chad Allen, Savannah Johnson (Ben), and Geena Perez (Christian); 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lawrence Donahue (Andi); one sister, Gale Campisi (Chuck) and his four-legged fur-baby, Trooper.
Ted enlisted in the United States Army in 1949 at the age of 18. During his highly decorated 26 years of service, he spent 4 tours in Vietnam with Special Forces and was the Special Forces reptile expert. During the Korean War, he was a Combat medic; this ultimately led to him meeting and marrying his wife, Rose, who was serving in the Women's Army Corp, in 1952. Ted had been injured overseas and was brought back to the Connecticut Army Base Hospital where Rose took care of him. The two married a very short time later and were married for over 70 years. They raised four children together and an unnumbered amount of animals were taken into their care over the years.
Ted was a natural-born leader and dedicated to his community, his country, and his family. From starting with the Boy Scouts when he was a child to becoming a pillar of the Spring Lake community. Ted had a heart for young kids, sports, and nature. After he retired from the Army in 1976, Ted went on to receive his Associate's Degree in Recreational Technology. He spent nearly 65 years developing sports programs in Spring Lake and was instrumental in getting the DYA Activity Center on Fort Bragg up and running. He spent countless hours making sure children all around him had an opportunity to play a sport, learn about exotic animals, or become a Boy Scout. Ted was proud to be a member of the Order of the Arrow, to be an Explorer and Wood Badge recipient. In his later years, Ted kept up with the sports programs he helped initiate and encouraged both young and old to get out and enjoy nature and animals. He kept his mind sharp by working on crossword puzzles and staying active.
There will be a visitation for family and friends on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Adcock Funeral Home, Spring Lake. A service celebrating Ted's life will be held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 10:00am at Adcock Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will immediately follow the service at LaFayette Memorial Park, Fayetteville.