Walter Allen Jr.

Allen, Walter Buckie, Jr., Age 91, passed away June 5th, 2017 in Orlando. Buckie was born in 1925 in Tampa, Florida, the son of Walter G. and Louise C. Allen. He attended public schools in Tampa and played on the Plant High School state championship football team. Buckie served in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division during WW II. Upon returning home he completed college at the University of Florida where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After graduating in Business Administration from UF in 1950 he married the former Bettie Rogers in Tampa. Bettie and Buckie's 66-year marriage was idyllic and admired by all who knew them. Buckie's entire business career was with the Allen Company, an Orlando based distributor of pharmaceuticals and health aids. He served as president of the company for 24 years, as well as president of the National Wholesale Druggists' Association. A strong believer in community service, Buckie was an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, a director of SunTrust Bank of Central Florida, President of the Rotary Club of Orlando, a District Governor of Rotary International, a director of Florida Hospital, and a member of the Thomas Murphy Society. He also was a member of the Country Club of Orlando and the University Club of Orlando. In retirement, Buckie followed his passion for literature and struck off for the Iowa Writers' Workshop to learn the craft of fiction writing. He published five Florida-based novels and frequently offered book reviews in Central Florida. He also pursued management consulting work. Buckie delighted in his trips to Europe with his daughter and his friends, and was a life-long, die-hard Florida Gator fan. Buckie's greatest passion was his family. He also had a deep interest in children and youth in general. He coached Little League baseball in Tampa and Orlando for 12 seasons, serving also as president of the Delaney Park Little League in Orlando. In later years, Bettie and Buckie led Sunday School for the three-year old children at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. Spanning 13 years, nearly an entire generation of little ones at the church passed through their class on Sunday morning. Buckie was in charge of playtime, while Bettie took care of the lesson. Buckie is survived by his loving wife Bettie; eldest son William G. Allen (Grace), their three children Lindsay (Mrs. Thomas Gainer), Robin (Mrs. Todd Peterson), and William Chase Allen (Stephanie); daughter Bonnie E. Allen; and younger son Frank R. Allen (Kathy), and their two children Ben and Emily Allen. Bettie and Buckie have seven great grandchildren. Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 17 at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Rotary Foundation, 2100 Alden Road, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32804, or First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, 106 E. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801.

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