LTC John Joseph Hasse Ret.

LTC John Joseph Hasse, Sr., Ret., 76, of Austin, Texas, died Monday, July 13, 2020, at North Austin Medical Center of complications following surgery. John was born in Houston, TX and grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Alamo Heights High School. After playing golf for Texas A&M he graduated from Texas Tech College in Lubbock and then was commissioned in the US Army in which he proudly and honorably served his country for 23 years. During his military career he received several awards including the Bronze Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Culture) 1972, the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal 1977, the Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) 1979, the Meritorious Service Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) 1982 and the Meritorious Service Medal (Third Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal 1990. John proudly served from Vietnam to Desert Storm. In addition to these posts, he and his family lived in Arizona, Thailand, Maryland, Germany, Texas and Hawaii. After retiring from military service, John and Judy returned to Austin where they bought and ran Safequip, Austin’s premier fire and safety company, for over 20 years.

John also dedicated a great deal of his time to service in Bethany United Methodist Church, where he taught several Sunday School and Disciple classes, was involved in a Walk to Emmaus group, and was very proud to be the bar-b-que chef at Bethany UMC’s adult retreat for 10 years. His love of fishing lead to be a member of the Christian Bass Club of Austin. John was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 21 years; during that time he sponsored numerous newcomers. Being the owner of Safequip also afforded him the opportunity to serve as Vice-President and Treasurer for FEDOT (Fire Equipment Distributors of Texas). John loved helping people. Whether it was simply listening to friends or visiting some of the world’s most vulnerable people in Latin America or Africa, John was passionate about getting to know and supporting people.

For most of his life John was an avid golfer and fisherman. He enjoyed these activities with his sons, grandchildren and many other family members and friends. John was dedicated to his physical fitness. Four or five days a week he could be found swimming, running or working out at the gym where he naturally made friends. He loved the outdoors; whether it was hiking or boating and fishing with his family, spending time at the family ranch, or scuba diving, John loved being outside. He was also a fan of Liverpool football (aka soccer). Many people also knew how much John loved just sitting in his front yard and talking to neighbors. John also loved traveling and visited dozens of countries and most of the states in the United States.

John is survived by Judith Jane (Swoboda) Hasse, his loving wife of 50 years; his sons MAJ Carlton Thomas and Dana Kincaid and family; John Joseph, Jr and Aubrey Hasse and family; and James (Jim) Jason, and Lori Hasse and family. He adored his nine grandchildren and cherished the time he had with each of them. He is also survived by his sister Mary Jo Kennard.

A memorial service honoring John’s life will be at Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, Texas on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 9:00 AM. The service will be held outside at the Bethel Prayer Garden and we will require, and have available, face masks and ask that people social distance.

To honor John, a donation may be made to one of the following organizations. Both of these meant a lot to him and the family:

• https://golfforeafrica.salsalabs.org/inhonroofjohnjosephyhassesr/index.html To provide a lasting legacy of John by giving the gift of clean water for the first time to a vulnerable community in Zambia. This well will improve the health of thousands of Zambians, help girls return to school.

• www.Pioneers.org/digitalresponse A gift of $6 or more toward Pioneers’ online outreach can change a life, moving a man or woman to download a Bible and hear about Jesus for the first time from a Pioneers missionary.