Obituary for John Damon Allwein
John Damon Allwein. What comes to mind when you think of our dad? The short answer would be; everything. Whether it be his love for music, sports, movies, holidays, art, foreign cultures, and of course the supernatural. Or the tiny details he would point out about random things in life that really made you take a closer look and open your mind a bit more. He also had a unique ability to find optimism and humor even in the toughest of situations. He had a story for every moment big or small, and even though he would tend to repeat stories, he somehow always kept us engaged. This list could go on forever… but when it really comes down to it; John loved his family more than anything.
Born March 23, 1963 in Tokyo Japan, John was adopted at the age of 2 to Samuel and Kazuko Allwein. While in the Air Force, Samuel was stationed at several Air Force bases throughout the world. This resulted in John being able to experience many parts of the world people can only dream of. His favorite being Japan. He loved their culture and history while the futuristic aspects of Japan allowed him to dream into the future.
John would tell elaborate stories about his time traveling with his family. Everything from eccentric schoolteachers in Texas, to sneaking off base in Tokyo and showing off his DJ skills at local clubs.
One story that still has a legacy to this day is meeting his future wife, Wendy. While attending Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, CO in Fall of 1980, the two fell for each other. John joined the Air Force after he graduated and was stationed in California. John used some of his first earnings to purchase an airplane ticket for Wendy to join him at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Shortly after their first son, Justin, was born. John and his small family could not have been happier. However, unfortunate circumstances eventually led to Justin passing away before his first birthday. As difficult as this was for John and Wendy, they somehow found strength within each other and decided to move back with his parents in Colorado Springs once John left the Air Force.
Although this was a trying time for the young couple, a small light illuminated their future. In 1985, their second son, Joshua, was born. Joshua brought love and laughter back into their lives at a time when the family needed it most. John and Wendy eventually found their footing and rented a tiny apartment together.
In November of 1987, John’s small family started to grow with the birth of their third child, Jordan. During this time, John took time off work to help raise his children. He helped prepare them for school years before they would even attend kindergarten. Furthermore, John attempted to teach them Japanese while Wendy insisted they learn Spanish as well.
Still young and able to keep up with his little monsters, this is a time when John was able to really impose his values and interests onto his children; which they still carry today. John’s love for music, sports, foreign cultures and the things mentioned prior were some of the most astounding qualities he instilled into his children.
In November of 1989, John, Wendy, Josh and Jordan welcomed the youngest family member, Jarred. Although Jarred was born with Cerebral Palsy, John and Wendy loved him like no other. John would spend time every day slowly exercising Jarred’s legs in hopes that his son wouldn’t have to spend life on crutches or a wheelchair. John would also spend hours with Jarred playing comprehensive games to expand his thought process. This was in between reggae and ska dance sessions with his boys... To this day Jarred has become stronger and more intelligent than anyone could’ve ever predicted.
Maybe he didn’t realize it at the time but putting his life on hold during the most influential times in his children’s lives was one of the best decisions he ever made. John spent time teaching his boys about acceptance and seeing the best in people. Albeit, John never forgot to let the kids also have fun: like dancing on the counter with cardboard guitars and staying up past midnight. John additionally promoted creativity and individualism as he watched his boys become men. He taught them everything he knew and never sheltered them from the world outside creating strong, self-sufficient, open-minded and cultured young men.
In the 90’s, John became more a private person. He was always the life of the party around his family, but he was also content with his down time and enjoyed it thoroughly. Although now split from his wife, his love for his family continued as well as a close relationship with Wendy throughout his life. John moved back to his parents in order assist them. Around this time, he really settled in and even his close friends also became family. John also proudly coached Jordan’s youth baseball team for two years. He spent every moment he could with his children and was always there when needed. John would carefully craft music mixes for his sons and spend hours thinking about which scary movie they’d all watch together that weekend. Every New Year’s Eve he would bring over traditional Japanese mochi and seaweed. John would tell his sons to eat as many mochi as your age. Josh, Jordan and Jarred rarely were able to eat as many in their teenage years. Jordan would also never miss a Denver Broncos game with his Father.
John’s sons all grew older and continued to spend as much time as possible with him. Josh was married to his wife Brittany while Jordan and Jarred moved out on their own. This was difficult for John, but he remained positive because their family continued to love each other and stay close. John always would mention how proud he was of his boys. His stories shifted from his own, to stories of his sons.
In Fall, 2018, John’s mother, Kazuko, passed away. Another trying time for John and his family. John sustained his strength as well as composure to help them through a most difficult time. That’s just the kind of person he was.
Life is all about changes and the most significant was still yet to come. John was diagnosed with gastric cancer in April 2019. After all the ups and downs in his life, this was perhaps the direst. Somehow, John miraculously maintained his optimism and assured his father, sons and Wendy they would be alright no matter what the future held.
Fall was one of his favorite times of the year. Fall seemed to be the time for big changes in his life. Normally, Football, Halloween, scary movies and the first snow were all events John would look forward to every year. But this Fall was different. John fought his condition with Wendy and his entire family’s support by his side. However, on October 20, 2019, John lost his battle with cancer.
Some would say John was unique. ‘Original’ would be a better word to describe him. John had such a charismatic aura that he could capture a rooms attention in seconds. Even as a grown man, he loved to collect music, posters, rare toys, video games and to this day still has all his children’s gifts. He wanted to frame everything to maintain it’s quality.
John talked big and dreamt bigger. As heartbreaking as it is, not all his aspirations were never fully realized. That being said, he lived an outstanding life and experienced a multitude of the world’s offerings. The love and loyalty he spread throughout his family and friends will live on for generations to come. The world is truly a brighter place with people like John. He may never realize the impact he had on those around him, yet that brightness will carry on. John’s dreams and aspirations will live on with his remaining family and his sons. John Damon Allwein was above all a family man and will forever be cherished by those close to him. He was truly a great person and his story will be passed down for generations to come.
We love you, Dad. Thank you for being amazing.
Born March 23, 1963 in Tokyo Japan, John was adopted at the age of 2 to Samuel and Kazuko Allwein. While in the Air Force, Samuel was stationed at several Air Force bases throughout the world. This resulted in John being able to experience many parts of the world people can only dream of. His favorite being Japan. He loved their culture and history while the futuristic aspects of Japan allowed him to dream into the future.
John would tell elaborate stories about his time traveling with his family. Everything from eccentric schoolteachers in Texas, to sneaking off base in Tokyo and showing off his DJ skills at local clubs.
One story that still has a legacy to this day is meeting his future wife, Wendy. While attending Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, CO in Fall of 1980, the two fell for each other. John joined the Air Force after he graduated and was stationed in California. John used some of his first earnings to purchase an airplane ticket for Wendy to join him at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Shortly after their first son, Justin, was born. John and his small family could not have been happier. However, unfortunate circumstances eventually led to Justin passing away before his first birthday. As difficult as this was for John and Wendy, they somehow found strength within each other and decided to move back with his parents in Colorado Springs once John left the Air Force.
Although this was a trying time for the young couple, a small light illuminated their future. In 1985, their second son, Joshua, was born. Joshua brought love and laughter back into their lives at a time when the family needed it most. John and Wendy eventually found their footing and rented a tiny apartment together.
In November of 1987, John’s small family started to grow with the birth of their third child, Jordan. During this time, John took time off work to help raise his children. He helped prepare them for school years before they would even attend kindergarten. Furthermore, John attempted to teach them Japanese while Wendy insisted they learn Spanish as well.
Still young and able to keep up with his little monsters, this is a time when John was able to really impose his values and interests onto his children; which they still carry today. John’s love for music, sports, foreign cultures and the things mentioned prior were some of the most astounding qualities he instilled into his children.
In November of 1989, John, Wendy, Josh and Jordan welcomed the youngest family member, Jarred. Although Jarred was born with Cerebral Palsy, John and Wendy loved him like no other. John would spend time every day slowly exercising Jarred’s legs in hopes that his son wouldn’t have to spend life on crutches or a wheelchair. John would also spend hours with Jarred playing comprehensive games to expand his thought process. This was in between reggae and ska dance sessions with his boys... To this day Jarred has become stronger and more intelligent than anyone could’ve ever predicted.
Maybe he didn’t realize it at the time but putting his life on hold during the most influential times in his children’s lives was one of the best decisions he ever made. John spent time teaching his boys about acceptance and seeing the best in people. Albeit, John never forgot to let the kids also have fun: like dancing on the counter with cardboard guitars and staying up past midnight. John additionally promoted creativity and individualism as he watched his boys become men. He taught them everything he knew and never sheltered them from the world outside creating strong, self-sufficient, open-minded and cultured young men.
In the 90’s, John became more a private person. He was always the life of the party around his family, but he was also content with his down time and enjoyed it thoroughly. Although now split from his wife, his love for his family continued as well as a close relationship with Wendy throughout his life. John moved back to his parents in order assist them. Around this time, he really settled in and even his close friends also became family. John also proudly coached Jordan’s youth baseball team for two years. He spent every moment he could with his children and was always there when needed. John would carefully craft music mixes for his sons and spend hours thinking about which scary movie they’d all watch together that weekend. Every New Year’s Eve he would bring over traditional Japanese mochi and seaweed. John would tell his sons to eat as many mochi as your age. Josh, Jordan and Jarred rarely were able to eat as many in their teenage years. Jordan would also never miss a Denver Broncos game with his Father.
John’s sons all grew older and continued to spend as much time as possible with him. Josh was married to his wife Brittany while Jordan and Jarred moved out on their own. This was difficult for John, but he remained positive because their family continued to love each other and stay close. John always would mention how proud he was of his boys. His stories shifted from his own, to stories of his sons.
In Fall, 2018, John’s mother, Kazuko, passed away. Another trying time for John and his family. John sustained his strength as well as composure to help them through a most difficult time. That’s just the kind of person he was.
Life is all about changes and the most significant was still yet to come. John was diagnosed with gastric cancer in April 2019. After all the ups and downs in his life, this was perhaps the direst. Somehow, John miraculously maintained his optimism and assured his father, sons and Wendy they would be alright no matter what the future held.
Fall was one of his favorite times of the year. Fall seemed to be the time for big changes in his life. Normally, Football, Halloween, scary movies and the first snow were all events John would look forward to every year. But this Fall was different. John fought his condition with Wendy and his entire family’s support by his side. However, on October 20, 2019, John lost his battle with cancer.
Some would say John was unique. ‘Original’ would be a better word to describe him. John had such a charismatic aura that he could capture a rooms attention in seconds. Even as a grown man, he loved to collect music, posters, rare toys, video games and to this day still has all his children’s gifts. He wanted to frame everything to maintain it’s quality.
John talked big and dreamt bigger. As heartbreaking as it is, not all his aspirations were never fully realized. That being said, he lived an outstanding life and experienced a multitude of the world’s offerings. The love and loyalty he spread throughout his family and friends will live on for generations to come. The world is truly a brighter place with people like John. He may never realize the impact he had on those around him, yet that brightness will carry on. John’s dreams and aspirations will live on with his remaining family and his sons. John Damon Allwein was above all a family man and will forever be cherished by those close to him. He was truly a great person and his story will be passed down for generations to come.
We love you, Dad. Thank you for being amazing.