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After Von Husbands, the owner of Red Barn Bar-B-Que in Colleyville, passed away from colon cancer on Dec. 5, the Colleyville community held a celebration of life in his honor.
Friends, family and city officials were among the hundreds who attended the celebration of life on Sunday, Dec. 15. Police officers were also in attendance, showing their support after Von’s support of them during his life.
“He was a big supporter of the North Tarrant Regional SWAT Team,” Jose Luna, a captain in the Southlake Police Department, says. “So we just came out here to show our support.
Mia Finch, the wife of Von’s nephew Chase, said that “it’s pretty obvious Von touched a lot of lives.”
“There’s so many people from different walks, like from the rescue, the police departments are here, the customers from the restaurant, like there’s so many people from different walks of life which is cool,” Mia says. “It’s neat to see.”
People who came to the celebration of life had the opportunity to write their memories of Von on memory cards and a slideshow featured a variety of pictures of Von and his family. A guestbook also greeted people who came, allowing them to sign before joining the celebration of life.
About halfway through the event, people had the opportunity to speak about Von. Lynda Leazure, the founder and president of Tzu Zoo Rescue, spoke first.
“We just want to thank Von and his legacy of supporters — all of the friends that followed him that have been so generous and donated to us, to all the volunteers that worked hard and long with Von and supported all of us,” Lynda says. “He was taken way too soon but we will continue that mission because we know if we don’t, he’s going to somehow kick our butt or cuss us out. We love Von and we really hate the fact that we don’t get more excitement from him in the years to come.”
Bobby Lindamood, the Colleyville Place 2 city council member, also spoke at Von’s celebration of life.
“This isn’t an obituary,” Bobby says. “He wants you to party up...this is a legacy and the legacy stands strong because of Von. He tied us together, whether it was this person, that person, the police department. I’m a city official and I can’t thank him enough for what he did for Colleyville.”
Candy Jaimes, who with her husband Noel, is the new owner of Red Barn Bar-B-Que also spoke and says, “it’s very humbling what he’s done for Noel and our family,” in a tearful speech.
Candy said that when Von passed the restaurant to them, he told them to think of it as something they’ve earned, not something he is giving them.
“It’s very important to us to continue to carry on what he’s started,” Candy says. “So through the support of the community — seeing everyone here, it means a lot — so moving forward, we just hope you guys will just continue to follow us. And nothing’s changed.”
“Just keep supporting us,” Noel says.
People who wish to make a donation in honor of Von are invited to consider donating to Tzu Zoo Rescue.