Thomas Alexander Allen was born on October 2, 1956, in Radford Va., the youngest child of Ivan and Clemetta “Bit” Allen. After his dad retired from the Army the family settled in Plantation, Fla. Tom graduated from South Plantation High School in 1975. He met his lifelong friends Bill and Nancy there. After high school he attended Broward Community College for a few years. He enjoyed music and tinkering on cars. In fact, he liked music so much that he became a DJ on the weekends, working with his friends JJ and Todd. Then he went to work, first as a locksmith, and then at a small local bank. He stayed in banking through many mergers and acquisitions, which ultimately led to his destiny – he met his wife Melissa.

Tom and Melissa met in May 1993, and it became obvious after their second date that they were meant to be. They married on February 24, 1994, and Tom became an instant “Dad” to Stephanie. Together the three of them embarked on the greatest of journeys. They moved to the west coast of Florida in 1995, settling in Valrico, Fla. There they enjoyed time at the beach, Friday family game nights, school concerts, soccer games, marching band, and rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they made many great friends. Backyard and driveway parties were frequent and fabulous. The trio traveled as often as possible, and never shied away from an adventure.

Tom embraced the age of computers with gusto. He loved learning how they worked, how to take them apart and put them together, and how to make them better. So much so that this led to his leaving banking and starting his next career – his own computer business. Over the years Tom enjoyed helping friends, family, and customers with their computer issues – he could solve almost any problem. He continued this until illness forced him to retire in 2015.

In 2000 Tom was diagnosed with kidney disease. He learned that there wasn’t really any treatment for it, but when it progressed, he would need either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Fifteen years later he reached that point, and this is where destiny comes in to play… Melissa was a match and able to donate one of her kidneys! On September 24, 2015, life 2.0 started. The transplant was a complete success and the adventure continued. More travel, more great times with friends, witnessing the wedding of his beloved daughter and seeing the birth of his grandchildren were the highlights of Tom’s second life.

In 2019 Tom and Melissa realized another dream – to move to North Carolina to be closer to the mountains. They settled in Statesville, N.C., and started building their new lives. They enjoyed camping trips, travel, Adult Beverage Fridays, and many of the great activities and events in their new hometown. Sadly, he became ill in October 2022 and learned that he had lung cancer, likely caused by the immunosuppressants he needed to take to maintain his transplant. The cancer was already very advanced, and although he tried valiantly to fight, enduring many rounds of chemotherapy and seeking several opinions, it just kept growing. In April 2023 Tom made the brave decision to stop fighting, and to enjoy what time he had left with as much gusto as possible.

Tom was a kind soul, a quiet funny man, animal lover, beer enthusiast, football fan, but most importantly a great husband, father, Pop, and friend to all who knew him. He will be missed forever.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Ivan and Bit. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Melissa; his daughter Stephanie and her husband Dan; and two beautiful grandchildren, Zoey and Gage. He is also survived by his brother Charlie (Elaine), sister Sara (Tim) and Linda (Tony), his mother-in-law Ellie and sister-in-law Michele (Michael) as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. His faithful pets Jasper “Jazzie” and Ty also mourn him.

Tom wished for no funeral service. Friends and family will be received at the Allen residence on a day to be determined next week. A Celebration of Life will be planned next month in Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite animal rescue.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com for the Allen family.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the family.