COL Gerald Duane Allgood (USARet.)
COL Gerald D. Allgood (USARet.) passed away on July 5, 2014. He was a resident of Colorado Springs for 28 years. The Army took him to many different destinations around the world. He was a Colonel in the U.S. Army. He retired as Chief of Staff of Health Services Command.
Jerry was born on August 16, 1934 to Dr. E.J. Allgood and Lillian C. (Pittman) Allgood in Hollis, Oklahoma. On June 15, 1958 he married Cleo B. Lunde in Silva, North Dakota.
Jerry loved Oklahoma State Football, fishing and hunting. He was proud of his Indian heritage and time growing up on an Indian reservation. The tribe named him Yellow Bird for his blonde hair and later Slug because he would fight to survive! He attended Altus High School and graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) in 1956. He proudly served in the United States Army for 30+ years. Jerry was instrumental in renaming a portion of Highway 115 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway and with establishing the new National Cemetery to be in the Colorado Springs area.
COL Allgood earned the following: Legion of Merit (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster)//Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster)//Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)//Meritorious Unit Commendation (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)//National Defense Service Medal//Vietnam Service Medal//Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3)//Army Service Ribbon//Overseas Service Ribbon (2)//Vietnamese Campaign Medal//Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (Unit) and Army Achievement Medal while serving in the U. S. Army.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years: Cleo; his children: Becky Houston (Rob), Bradley Allgood (Paula) and daughter-in-law Jane; his grandchildren: Erin Fields (Zach), Taylor Houston, Wyatt Allgood, Travis Allgood, Abby Allgood, and Austin Allgood; his siblings: Richard Allgood (Beth) and Ronald Allgood (Diane). He was preceded in death by his parents: Dr. E.J. and Lillian Allgood and son COL Brian D. Allgood, KIA Iraq 2007.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 10th at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. A reception will be held immediately following the service at Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard.
Memorials in Gerald D. Allgood’s name may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital or to the Army Medical Museum at Fort Sam Houston.