Allen Eklund

Roy Allen Eklund was born in Glen Cove, New York on November 27, 1957, the son of the late Roy Eklund and Anice Jane Harris Eklund. His family made their way to Hardin County, Tennessee where Allen, as he was known to everyone, attended Central High School. His graduation from there in 1975 was followed four years later by graduation from Middle Tennessee State University. Just a few months later, on July 21, 1979, he married the former Patricia Franks. Their marriage of 39 years blessed them with two wonderful daughters, Julie and Katie.

Allen's love of flying exhibited itself throughout his life beginning with his first solo flight at the age of 16. Over the next 14 years he managed the Robert Sibly Airport in McNairy County, Tennessee then went on to work as a pilot for Aqua Glass, Piedmont Airlines, and USAir. Eventually, Allen became a pilot for American Airlines, a position he occupied for 30 years of his 44 year career in aviation. It was the last airline for which he would fly.

The organizations of which he was a member reflected his passion for flight: USAirlinepilots.org, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Skyblazers R/C Club, the Aeronca Aviators Club, and Alpha Eta Rho, a collegiate fraternity dedicated to cultivating leaders in the field of aviation.

When he wasn't traversing the skies, Allen spent his time with his family, whom he loved very much. His family and friends knew him by many names: Dad, Daddy, Lums, Pappa, Al, Uncle Al, and Capt. Al, just to name a few. Although he loved all of his family, as well as his model airplane buddies, his co-workers, and his church family at First Baptist in Savannah, he might have been especially partial to his granddaughter, Lucy.

Allen departed this life on Friday, July 20, 2018 at the age of 60 years, 7 months, and 23 days. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Franks Eklund of Savannah, Tennessee; his daughters, Julie Eklund Gurchiek and her husband Chris, and Katie Eklund Bargatze and her husband Devin, all of Nashville, Tennessee; his granddaughter, Lucy Lynn Gurchiek; his mother, Jane Smith of Savannah, Tennessee; and his sisters, Kelly Eklund West and her companion Charlie Young of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Laura Eklund Gillespie and her husband Greg of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

In addition to his father, Allen was preceded in death by his grandparents, O.C. and Sarah Eva Harris, and Oscar and Ellen Eklund; and his stepfather, Glen Smith.

Memorial Donations can be made to Skyblazers R/C Club, Tri-Star Summitt Hospital of Nashville, Tennessee, or Vanderbilt Children's Hospital of Nashville, Tennessee.