Thomas Allen Padgett of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., and formerly of Haddonfield, N.J., died peacefully at the age of 97 on Dec. 13, 2019. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (nee Wallstin) for 43 years, devoted father of Carol Grear (Wayne) of Haddon Heights, Lauree Padgett of Voorhees, stepfather of Kathleen Fudala (Stan) of Huntington Valley, Ralph Walter of North Fort Myers, Fla., and Rich Walter (Debbie) of Norton, Mass. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Allen was predeceased by parents William H. (“Dutch”) and Della, brothers Bob, Bill, Cliff, and Jack, as well as sister Doris.
A tremendous athlete, Allen graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Marines in 1943. He saw active duty during World War II in the South Pacific, including Guam, through 1945. After college and playing semi-pro football, Allen joined the Haddonfield Police Force in 1950, serving more than 30 years and attaining the rank of captain in 1974. After his retirement in 1981, he continued serving the community as a school crossing guard. He and Dorothy moved to Ormond Beach, Fla., where they lived for 27 years before moving to Huntingdon Valley in 2016. In 1993, Allen was part of the inaugural class inducted into the HMHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
A Memorial Service for Allen will take place in Spring 2020 at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church. Details to follow. Anyone wishing to do so may make a contribution in his memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fla., 33607. (Please put Thomas’ name on the memo line of your check). https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/
