Horace Soule, Jr.

Horace Allen Soule Jr.

14 Dec. 1923 – 25 Sept. 2016.  Allen was born in Randolph VT, first son of Merle (nee Allen) and Horace Allen Soule Sr.  He was a fifth generation Vermonter and direct descendant of Mayflower passenger George Soule.

Allen graduated Randolph High School 1941, and served in the Army Air Corps in WWII.  After the war he attended Goddard College and graduated with a degree in Sociology.  Allen served as Vermont State Archivist for roughly a decade, and edited three volumes of the State Papers of Vermont.

In 1966 Allen founded Elmhill, and later Maplehill, group homes and schools for children in state care.  He served as Director for many years and remained on the Board until shortly before his death.  He and the other adult workers provided strong, positive role models for the children helping them lead fulfilling, successful lives.

Allen lived an incredibly full life that included countless memorable actions.  He acted in a number of films, many directed by David Mamet, and in doing so ended up in Life magazine. He ran for VT State Representative, wrote and edited for many years, and was a DJ at WDGR for decades and at KXCI in Tucson.  Allen believed in preserving Vermont and was one of the first in Calais to enter his land into the Vermont Land Trust.  He traveled extensively and recommended that everyone travel and see new places and new people whenever possible.  Throughout it all he enjoyed playing poker, including competing in the World Series of Poker, backgammon, bridge, and pinochle.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert.  He is survived by brothers Harold Jackson (Jack) and Ronald James, by his children, Daniel, Jeremy, Jacqueline, Andrea, Terence, and Eliza, eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, many foster children, and a large number of longtime friends.

A celebration of Allen's life is planned for next summer.  In lieu of flowers please honor Allen's life by preserving a piece of Vermont, traveling somewhere new, planting a tree, or making a donation to the Maplehill School and Farm.

Condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.