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vol 3 issue 10
january 2019
CC Biker & Motorsports
This is not goodbye,
this is “see you when I see you” Allen Casselman
for him. After graduating high school he attended Devry University and enlisted in the Navy for a time. Lucky for us he never went to war, so we got to keep him for a while.
Allen Casselman, 66, of Tulare, CA, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Tulare Rehabilitation Center where he unexpectedly succumbed to injuries from a motorcycle accident His wife, Nancy, is still recovering from the accident.
In 1982 Allen opened a retail store and it has evolved into Tulare Mercantile located in down town Tulare. Allen is also founder of the school American Martial Arts A c a d e m y, just two doors down from his retail business. His passion was teaching, Always eager to teach any one who was ready to learn and he could teach almost anything. Even today I am still learning leassons he taught me, as many of you will continue to learn the lessons has taught you.
1952-2018
Allen was born June 20, 1952 in Solano County, CA and has been a resident of Tulare County for 60+ years. A local retail business owner in Tulare since 1982, an avid student and teacher of Martial Arts, self defense and also a survival specialst. He was known as Shun Shifu Allen at his school, American Martial Arts Academy, where he and fellow instructors taught many forms of Martial Arts. He loved spending time with family, riding his motorcycle, camping, playing poker with his friends, gardening, and naps. Allen enjoyed good conversation, sharing ideas or just a fair, friendly debate. He knew how to build or fix anything. He was a father figure to many and always tried to help anyone who needed it. Preceeded in death by his father Arthur R. Casselman and sisters Jean & Jane. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his mother, Maxine (Deckard), sisters Tressa & Krissta, his children Allen Casselman Jr, Stephanie Bustamante, Eric Nothstein, Joshua Nothstein, 14 grandchildren, 3 great granchildren and many nieces, nephews, friends & students. A Celebration of Life service followed by a reception will be held on Sunday, December 16 at 4 p.m. at the Followers of Christ Church, 1943 W. Inyo Ave., in Tulare. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: Nancy Casselman c/o Tulare Mercantile 139 E. Tulare Ave, Tulare, CA 93274
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o those I have yet to meet my name is Allen Jr., son of Allen Casselman Sr., oldest of my siblings.Before I get started I would like to take a few moments to thank all of you for ttaking time out of your life to be here today to celebrate the life of out father, her husband and friend to you all. We would like to thank our friends and family who have come to our aid emotionally, financially and physically in this time of our life. I would like to thank my wife for 26 years of loving support. And, especially thanks to Allen for being the man that he was. Some one once said “you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family”. Allen disagreed, today our
family consists of people of same blood line, people of different blood lines from all walks of life. To Allenit didn’t matter what your status, skin tone or level of wealth was. He was kind to all and treated all whom he met as family. Allen was born on June 20, 1952 in Solano County, CA. His parents, Maxine and Raymond, settled just outside of Exeter, CA and were plum farmers. Just as Raymond’s father was before him. He was the oldest of his siblings. They were raised on their father’s plum farm. Allen learned all there was to know about the farming and grafting of plums. His father created the “Ray’s Hope” plum, and his grandfather created the “Casselman” plum. But, Allen knew plums weren’t
Allen impressed on us the importance of honor and respect, to be kind and loving. He taught us to defend ourselves with nothing more than our hands and feet. He taught us that we can fix anything. But most of all he taught us to live the ife we wanted to live. Allen’s favorite things were camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, the study of Martial Arts and the study of scripture and law. Most of all he loved hanging out with his grandchildren. Allen was especially close to his grandchildren. He
loved nothing more than spending time with them, homework, karate, camping, fishing, gardening, chatting and any thing else he could come up with. Allen was happily married to Nancy and spent the past 30 years with the woman of his dreams. My father taught me patience, understanding and showed me to wisdom. He taught me to fix sewing machines and vacuum cleaners, how to fix my own cars, be my own electrician, my own plumber and my own construction guy. My dad taught me to be wise, to choose which battles to fight and which to walk away from. He taught me to visualize my goals and set a plan to achieve them. I could go on and on with what I learned from my father, but in a nut shell, he taught me to be a man. I have a simple answer when some one asks who my favorite super hero is....”my father”. We love Allen deeply and we miss him very much. He touched many lives and because of him I will lead my life the way taught me to. Work hard, be kind to others and not take things too seriously. Allen’s smile, his kindness and his selfSee ALLEN Continued on page 2