Allen David Vasut

Allen was born on December 25th, 1954, to Harry and Agatha (Noska) Vasut in Columbus, Texas. Allen worked hard helping his family work their land in Columbus. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, ham radio and reading about history. After graduating from Columbus High School in 1973, Allen attended Texas A&M University, where he studied Aerospace Engineering. After graduation, Allen pursued a successful career in the aviation industry, working for Dee Howard, Searingen, Cessna, Bell Helicopter, and ultimately, Lockheed Martin. As a Senior Staff Engineer, he helped design the thrust reverser on the F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter. Allen was a brilliant engineer, but always remained humble.

Allen’s MOPAR car hobby began in high school, and was an interest he shared with his brother, James. As time and resources allowed, he purchased and worked on MOPAR Muscle Cars. There is a photo of Allen and his brother, installing a 426 HEMI engine (900+ lbs), suspended from an oak tree! Recognized for his leadership and expertise, Allen was a welcome member to local, regional and National HEMI Owners Associations. Allen was widely known and highly respected in MOPAR circles for his expert knowledge, generosity and honesty. Allen’s favorite car was his yellow 1970 Plymouth Cuda. Allen served as a consultant for the United States Postal Service for the MOPAR stamp. Allen traveled the US entering his cars at car shows.

Allen was also involved in his local community, serving on the Board of Planning and Zoning for the City of Haslet, Texas. Allen was devout to his Heavenly Father and attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, Texas. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jessica. They met in 2011 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and were married on March 9, 2013. They shared 13 years together. Allen was a loving husband to Jessica and a loving step-father to Ross, Jordan, and Victoria. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and sharing his knowledge with them. Before illness consumed his body, Allen was active and would help anyone in need. He took his mother on the trip of a lifetime across the US to Washington DC. Allen was a beautiful and humble soul who will be missed by many, but we rejoice that he is healed and at peace with his Heavenly Father.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Agatha Vasut; brother, James Vasut; and stepson, Jordan James.

Allen is survived by his wife, Jessica of Haslet, TX; step-son, Ross James of New Rochelle, NY; step-daughter, Victoria James of Haslet, TX; sister-in-law, Judy Vasut of Columbus, TX; niece, Tammy Vasut of Katy, TX, and many cousins and friends whom he loved so much.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation @ www.parkinson.org or Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church – Frelsburg, TX.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Matthew 5:8

WHAT IS DYING?

I am standing on a farm road. A Charger at my side revs its Hemi engine in the Texas heat preparing to race down the road ahead. It is a design of brilliant engineering and humble power and I stand and watch it until at length it appears like a speck in the distance where the end of the road meets the horizon and it disappears from my view. Then someone at my side says, “There! It’s gone.”

Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. It is just as brilliant and powerful as it was when it left my side, and just as able to bear the load of a race well run to the satisfaction of crossing the finish line. Its diminished size on the horizon is only in me, not it. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There! It’s gone,” there is a great cloud of spectators watching its coming, and other voices cheering its arrival with joy unspeakable and full of glory shouting, “There it comes!”

. . . And that is dying . . . a new beginning.