Name at birth: Robert Jason Allen Date of birth: 14/09/71 Place of birth: Cleburne, Texas, USA Date of death: 17/07/96 Place of death: Camp Springs, Maryland, USA Place of burial: Caddo Cemetery, Joshua, Texas Submitted by: Susan Curlee (TexEyes1@onramp.net)
Jason was a very popular and well-liked person all of his life. He excelled at everything he attempted and was very active in Scouts, FFA, rodeo, and football. He made All-County and All-District in football his senior year and graduated in 1990. Jason loved hunting and fishing above almost everything else in his life.
Not knowing exactly what he wanted to do with his life, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February, 1991. After basic training and several radar schools, he received his permanent orders to Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland, where he was attached to a Naval Squadron VP-68. While there Jason earned several medals and received a Letter of Commendation. He continued entering rodeos while in the service, riding saddle broncs and bulls.
Jason never liked being stationed so far from home and only re-enlisted after his first four years because he had a chance to receive orders back in Texas. We know Jason was still troubled about the path his life was taking. He couldn’t decide whether to leave the Navy, go to college, and become a teacher, or stay in the service and make it his career. When he was last home on leave it seemed to bother him that all of his friends had married and started their families.
He was a somewhat private person, who kept his feelings closely guarded to some extent and we’ll never know what was truly on his mind when, on July 17, 1996, Jason chose to end his life…he had recently made 2nd Class Petty Officer and received orders to Kingsville, Texas… the thing he’d wanted for the last six years. He is desperately missed by his parents, his step-parents, his grandparents, his brother, his half-sister, and literally hundreds of friends.
Go with God, Jason, and be at peace … finally. I love you and miss you so ….
Mom
A TRIBUTE TO JASON – by his aunt, Pollye McCoy
He’s laid aside his helmet
His football’s put away
The doves are cooing softly
His gun won’t fire today.
The fish are swimming elsewhere
In another sparkling stream
And the campfire’s light is darkened
‘Neath the starlight’s silver gleam.
The bulls and broncs he loved to ride
Are silent now and still
His boots and hats are empty
They’re impossible to fill.
His cowboy days are over
But his entry fees are paid
We hear his voice and see his smile
Those things will never fade.
We will forever ever love him
In our hearts he’ll always be
This cowboy, friend, brother, and son
We miss so desperately …