ST. LOUIS — Orville Allen lived a lifetime of service, and when he died at age 98 he had one last thing to give: his liver.
Allen, a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War and a longtime educator in rural southeastern Missouri, is the oldest American to ever donate an organ, transplant organizations said. He died on May 29 and his liver was successfully transplanted to a 72-year-old woman, according to Mid-America Transplant.
Orville Allen, left, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., hugs his great-grandson in March, 2024. Allen died Wednesday, May 29, 2024, and his liver was successfully donated and transplanted to a 72-year-old woman.
Allen was in robust health until he suffered a fall while picking up storm debris at his home in Poplar Bluff on May 27, his daughter, Linda Mitchelle said. He struck the back of his head and was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
Swelling around Allen’s brain couldn’t be healed. As the family was preparing to say goodbye, hospital staff had a question: Would they consider donating his liver?
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