Judge Michael E. Allen

Tallahassee – Michael E. Allen, born on December 16, 1949 in Quincy, Florida to N. E. “Gene” and Mary Jane Allen, passed into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on January 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Mike was known for his wisdom, kindness, generosity, humility, unique sense of humor, his faith, and passionate devotion to his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. He fully enjoyed all of life’s simple pleasures like good food, fishing, telling jokes, watching baseball, reading, teaching, and most of all, spending time in the company of those he loved. Mike graduated from Quincy High School in 1967 and earned his B.S. from Florida State University in 1971 and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in 1975. He served as the elected Public Defender for the Second Judicial Circuit from January 1981 to January 1990, and then served as a judge on the First District Court of Appeal from January 1990 to September 2009. He was Chief Judge on the Court from July 2001 to June 2003. Mike also authored a book entitled Florida Criminal Practice and Procedure for the West’s Florida Practice Series. Mike was involved in many judicial, legal, and teaching activities throughout his career. He served as President of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, Chairman of the District Court of Appeal Budget Commission, Adjunct Professor at Florida State University College of Law, and as a faculty member of the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies. He was twice elected president of the Florida Public Defender Association and served on numerous committees and boards throughout his career. In 1995, Mike received the L. Clayton Nance Award (for distinguished public service), was made an Honorary Life Member of the Florida Public Defender Association in 1989, and was the First Honorary Member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 1990. Mike leaves his wife of 46 years, Hilda; his daughters, Susan Allen Wellman (Andrew) and Sarah Allen Erb (Jeff); his three precious grandchildren, Claire, Megan, and Wyatt Wellman; his father, Gene Allen (Kathy); his sister, Judy Wray (Chuck); his niece, Charity Aselton (Tim), his mother-in-law, Juanita Russell; his sister-in-law, Janice Banka (John Slemkewicz); and other adoring family members and friends. He will be mourned by the many people who loved him. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Jane Allen. A memorial service celebrating Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Bevis Funeral Home, located at 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in the memory of Michael E. Allen to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, Post Office Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141 or online at https://ocrfa.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/. Rocky Bevis of Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Allen family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Judge Michael E. Allen

December 16, 1949 - January 26, 2018