The Styx River passes through our lives, carrying away family and dreams, lovers and comrades in its slow but inexorable and mighty flow. We watch the vast eddies in the immense course of the mighty current that separates our existence from one reality of human joy and pain to the endless wonders of eternity.
We heard the sad news this week. Our shipmate John Allison has crossed the River Styx, and we must now wait to see his smile again on another shore.
Our pal Joe summed up John’s public world nicely, saying: “So many thought so highly of John…it is a large and influential group.” He was comforted by the number of people who commented so sincerely about our friend, saying “Anyone who knew John is aware of his significant impact on US Intelligence in general and Naval Intelligence in particular. He was the epitome of what a professional colleague should be and somebody you wanted to be your friend.”
Lt. Gen. Patrick Hughes, USA-Ret., made one of the first comments on the passing of a dear friend. He evoked a phrase learned long ago in a great struggle conducted a world away. After combat, his unit would struggle to a pre-arranged spot on the map to take stock of the aftermath of savagery, to find the living and succor the injured, and under pressure unimaginable in our rational world, to seek the dead, and bring them home. Pat reminded us of the term they used: “See you at The Rally Point.”
We note one this week, because our Shipmate John has taken his last foray into the great stream, shipped his oars, and given himself to the endless stream.
We were pals for nearly forty years. We saw times of stress and pressure, “in contact” with an implacable tide of history. We served a cause greater than ourselves. We shared living quarters at times, and the strange parallel lives shared under common reference but vastly different circumstance. We saw our small part in a great enterprise with laughter and tears, and his later struggle with dread affliction was an inspiration that brought home the miracle of life and his determination to live it on his terms.
Our spirits soared when he beat back a long incursion of multiple myeloma. Then, with unexpected swiftness, an implacable adversary appeared, and with dramatic certainty, took him from our living circle to the one that waits us on the other shore of The Big River.
I will not attempt to capture his life here, since his son Drew and daughter Gen nicely sum up the impact of his presence in the small and intimate world of family:
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, John Allison. As many may know, his battle with multiple myeloma lasted over 7 years. The diagnosis at the time was dire. He approached his treatment like he did with any challenge in his life: dedication, determination, realism, and a bit of skepticism. If he didn’t like a treatment plan he would do extensive research in medical journals, find a treatment plan in line with his type of cancer, and show it to his doctor and say, “I’d like to do this one”. The doctors would read the various publications he printed out and brought in and say, “Ok. We’ll do it”. That commitment and passion allowed him to be a part of many life events he didn’t expect to see: his daughter’s graduation from high school, the birth of his first grandchild, the birth of his second grandchild, his daughter’s graduation from college, and 3, that’s right 3, Vanderbilt College World Series titles.
To say he maximized his time after the diagnosis would be an understatement. Between traveling abroad and crisscrossing the US in a car he called a ‘lemon’ but put 30,000 miles on, he chased SEC baseball games, good bourbon and good cheese. He found lots of each.
When he wasn’t on the road, he was home relaxing. That routine consisted of a rotating calendar of the following events- 2 hour walk on the beach, work out, sauna, detailing a car older than his daughter, and ending each day with a cheese plate and some port.
As he consistently reminded his grandkids when they were being crazy, we are confident one thing will continue in death as it did in life for his friends and family, “I’ve got my eye on you.”
Love,
Drew and Gen
They note that interment is planned for Arlington National Cemetery. Details regarding the funeral services will be posted as they are scheduled by John’s last escort, the 3rd Infantry Division ‘Old Guard’ of the United States Army, Guardians of our Gardens of Stone. The family anticipates a 6-12 month wait for the arrangements to be finalized, and will post when available.
I am proud to have been one of John’s many friends, and am deeply saddened by his passing. We shared much in this vale, but take some joy in the certain knowledge that we will see his smile and his knowing eye on the other shore.
Please keep the Allison family in your thoughts and prayers.
– JR