Obituary of Brian Joseph Allen

Brian Joseph "BA" Allen, 43, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. BA was born Dec. 18, 1970, in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Claire Hosey Allen and John W. Allen. BA had a solid Midwestern upbringing, raised in Marion, Ill., where he parlayed his academic success and all-state football honors into an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. There he made a life-long network of friends, all of whom live life to the fullest and whom – along with his family –were a source of strength throughout his life. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1993 and later earned an MBA from the University of Northern Alabama in Florence, Ala. BA served the Air Force in Bosnia and Italy as well as in Boston, Mass., and Park City, Utah, ultimately making Park City his home. After leaving the Air Force in 1999, he worked with defense and aeronautic contractors in Iraq as well as in Iuka, Miss., Clearfield, Utah and Park City. Most recently BA worked as Director of Programs for Exelis in Salt Lake City. From cross-country motorcycle trips to telemark skiing throughout the West – especially Deer Valley – and snowmobile treks to his yurt in the northern Wasatch Mountains, BA pursued the great outdoors with passion. He also enjoyed the discipline of CrossFit training. Although he would rather participate than watch, BA followed closely Air Force and Raiders football and NASCAR racing. BA's sense of humor and mischievous spirit live on in endless tales, lovingly repeated over and over among friends and family. His smile lit up the room, his eyes warmed your heart, and his larger-than-life presence offered silent assurance – and occasional pause – to those around him. He worked hard, negotiated even harder, and always showed up fully. As one friend described him, "Brian was a huge mountain of a man." BA is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Dolly Hosey, and John and Lucille Allen. His memory will live on in the hearts of his mother, Claire of Pasadena, Calif.; his father, John and wife, Patti, of Springfield, Ill.; brother, John David and wife, Thuy Nguyen, and their children, Kaitlin and Madeline, of Noblesville, Ind.; and brother, Patrick of Springfield, Ill. BA will be deeply missed by his Park City family, John and Christine Heskett, and their children, Ben (BA's godson), Matthew, and Sweet Baby Jane. BA's many aunts, uncles and cousins -- as well as his rich network of wonderful friends – will also carry his memory in their hearts. Visitation for Park City area friends will be Thursday, Feb. 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 East 100 South, Salt Lake City. On Monday, Feb. 17 there will be a visitation at the Springs Funeral Service, 3115 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs, CO from 4-7 p.m. BA will be accorded full military honors at a funeral service and burial at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. The family requests donations in honor of Brian be made to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Please indicate on the memo section of the check that the gift is "in honor of Brian Allen." Online memorial gifts may also be made at https://donate.huntsmancancer.org/joinus (include notation that the gift is in honor of Brian Allen).Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Cemetery Tuesday, February 18, 2014 12:00AM US Air Force Academy Cemetery 2168 Field House Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80840 Phone: 719-328-1793 Visitation Monday, February 17, 2014 4:00PM - 7:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Tuesday, February 18, 2014 10:00AM U S Air Force Academy Catholic Chapel Colorado Springs, CO Phone: 719-328-1793