PRESTONSBURG – It was only a year-and-a-half ago that Floyd County District Judge James R. Allen filed to run for another term in the May primary, after 15 years on the bench and a dozen years before that as the county’s commonwealth’s attorney.

Now, 18 months after winning his bid for another year on the bench, Allen gave brief comments during an impromptu luncheon to honor the veteran judicial servant on his upcoming retirement.

“It has been an honor to serve Floyd County and to work with you all,” Allen said in his widely recognized low-key voice, before receiving a plaque from his co-workers for his years of service.

Allen’s retirement plans became official on the morning of that luncheon, with court officials saying he will take leave until August and then enter into full retirement after that time. In the meanwhile, former Floyd County Circuit Judge Danny P. Caudill, who himself retired nearly two years ago to travel the state as a senior judge, will fill the vacancy until an appointment can be made to replace Allen.

When filing to run for re-election last year, Allen said “he just decided to run” because he enjoyed his job and had enjoyed being a public official.

When interviewed by The Times shortly after he filed for what has now proven to be his final term in office, the longtime public servant had detailed what he hoped to achieve.

“I will continue be to be fair, honest and to use common sense in every case that comes before me. I am aware that the decisions we make in the courtroom affect every citizen, not just those in the court. I take my responsibility very seriously,” Allen said then. “My daddy told me as a young boy that a man’s reputation arrives before he does. My dad is gone now but I have always remembered that advice. I value my reputation of fairness and honesty. I will conduct myself in manner my dad would have been proud of so that at the end of my term my reputation will be intact.”