Maynard Allington

Live video feed will start at 5:00 Friday January 10th, 2014 Novelist Maynard Allington, 82, died on January 2, 2014 at his home in Suntree, Florida after a brave battle with melanoma skin cancer. Born in Santa Cruz, California, he grew up in Redwood City. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and rose quickly in the ranks to Staff Sergeant. Selected for the grueling six-month OCS Program, he graduated as a “distinguished graduate” and was awarded the military honors for his class. He served twice in Vietnam, first as Operations Officer for an experimental ranger program, and second, as an advisor to the Vietnamese on air base defense. His final field assignment was Director of Security Police at the Air Force Academy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Retiring from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel at a young age, he embarked on a second career as a novelist, writing full time six days a week. In the next five years, he wrote five novels, all of them rejected. His sixth novel, THE GREY WOLF, was bought by a major New York publisher and released as a mass market paperback. He went on to write many more, including THE COURT OF BLUE SHADOWS, which the New York Times called “Beautifully written. . . a sensitive and powerful examination of humanity at its worst and at its best.” The greatest joy in his life was his loving family. The outpouring of affection from his many friends was also a source of strength to him in the final days, and he drew on his love for Jesus Christ to find spiritual peace. He was surrounded by the love of his dear family in his last days, including: his wife, Saundra; daughters, Aleta and Lee Anne; sons, Steve, Shawn, Cody and Lance; grandson, Brennan and great granddaughters, Dasia, Zaia and Jayla. The family will receive friends at the Beckman Williamson Funeral Home, Viera, FL. Friday, January 10, 2014 from 4:30 until 7PM, with a celebration of life at 5:30PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL. Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Vitas Hospice: 4450 W. Eau Gallie Blvd, Suite 250, Melbourne, FL 32934.