R.I.P. Dallas Mize

[Rionart]

Bugger.

[jerseydave]

I met Dallas at Carlisle a couple of years ago and I remember his passion for doing things to perfection and if something wasn't right he would redo it. My condolences go out to Tera and the kids.

[Agent.NUB]

This came as a shock to me. He was so young. Ill never forget the time he took me for a spin in the Spyder; one of the more memorable times of my life. He will be missed.

[timemachine]

This is horrible news. I'll remember Dallas as a kind fellow with an open mind who often talked about his family and his business. He was happy to see you and looked you in the eye when he spoke. Tragedy.

[GTJIM]

My condolences to the Family

[hallgeir]

My condolences to the family.

[P.J. Romano]

Opel community will miss you Dallas. Rest in piece. Or even better - start Opel forum wherever you are!

[jlthunder]

Wow, this is a shock. I'm speechless.

[baz]

im with rob


bugger

[Dallas_Mizes_Wife]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kindness in the passing of my husband, Dallas. As you know, he has loved Opels since the first day he ever seen one when he was 12-years-old. He said then he would have an Opel one day. He loved working on cars. I know several of you have asked about what happened to Dallas and all I can say is that we won’t have official results for 3-6 months. He was working on my car and we found him in the shop passed away the next morning.

As difficult as it is to let go of his beloved Opels, I wanted to let everyone know that I will be selling the 1971 Opel GT that has 77K original miles on it, although it is in the middle of being restored. I believe however that all the parts needed to finish the restoration are in the shop with the car. There are also two 1972 Opel GTs that he used for parts that I will need to sell as well. If anyone has any interest in any of these vehicles or knows someone who does, please let me know. Pictures of these cars are available at Dallas Mize under ‘my cars’. We will also be selling the 1988 Corvette with 60K miles, the 28 ft. car trailer we used to transport the Opel GT Spyder and the 1983 Mustang GT (basically a street-legal drag car) as well should that be of any interest to anyone. Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful words during this difficult time. My son will be keeping the notorious ’70 Opel GT Spyder and already has a love for Opels passed down from his dad.

Thank you again for you kindness during this difficult time for our family.

[BQS4]

Tera;
I'm Gene Smith, I helped Dallas along when he first got into Opels, and who he would call at all hours to answer questions pertaining to Opels. We, the Opel Community wish to express our condolences at the passing of Dallas, as he brought "light" and fun to the Opel Community. The year he went to Carlisle was probably the best meet we had, as it was Dallas that put a smile on everyone's face. Speaking for the GA Opelers, I wish we had known sooner so that we could have arranged for members to be at the funeral. If there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask. Our prayers and thoughts are for you and your family at this hour....God bless....

[vikesman101]

I am so very sorry to hear this news. I met Dallas and his brother in PA and both were warm generous people. I told him I was going to build a Spyder and model it after his in many ways, he was excited about the project. I had a thread going and after some time the project got put on hold. Then an email showed up from Dallas urging me to get going on it again, he was excited to see how I was doing. I was just thinking about letting him know I had got back to it again. I am deeply saddened by his passing, I wish to express my deepest condolances to his family. And Dallas my friend, I promise, it will get done. I will pray for you and your family, you will be missed.

Your friend
Tom

[ungermm]

Originally Posted by grslightng02 A person's life is not judged merely by their accomplishments, but by how that person touched and inspired the lives of others. His passion for his Opel definately inspired many of us, even those who had not met him!

Well said. It's not what you have gained in living, but what you have shared.
It is sad to hear this news. His life story is a touching one. He and his family has been through a lot.

[markandson]

It is amazing how close we all become even though we don't see each other very often. I only met Dallas once at Carlisle but felt I knew him well through all of the contact on this site. I am very sorry to hear of his passing, much too young.

[heimue]

Carlisle 2006.

Dieter

[OpelAl]

I met Dallas from a postI made needing a blinker switch and side markers
trying to get my car ready to drive to the Springfield mother road car show.
Dallas pm.ed me that he had what I needed to give him a call.
I called him to ask how much he was asking , he told me nothing , that he was happy to help me out. He asked for my address to ship to me., Anyways about 4 days later I received parts in the mail. Car show was about a week away, still had a few more things to do in order to get my car ready, needless to say did not get done so I could not drive my car there. I called Dallas to in form him thankyou for being so helpfull but that I would meet up with him at the show but without the car. H e then said to me that I could borrow his trailer and trailer my car there, I couldn,t beleive it, someone whom I only met aweek ago thru A phone conversation was going to let me use his trailer, Ithanked him for the offer and told him no that I would meet up with him at the hotel. What a generous person he was, but his generousty would not end there. The night of the cruise he asked me if I would drive his car in the parade so he could film. I was so excited to be able to drive the car of my dreams in the parade, not only was it a opel gt , but was the car I would of loved to own. So while we were driving in the parade I've got this big grin on my face, waving to the people lined up on each side of the route, blowing that train air horn he had installed, I looked over to Dallas and said tonight I own not only the car of my dreams but the nicest one I could ever have imagined. He grined and said and it didnt cost you a dime. I am very shocked to hear of his passing, I was blessed to have met him, and I know his family will miss him dearly, just has all of us do.

[MantAscona]

I am very sorry to hear of Dallas' passing. I only met him once, at Carlisle, but it was easy to see that he was a caring and passionate person. Our thoughts are with him and his family. Peace be with you.

Duane

[hrcollinsjr]

After seeing a couple of the pictures Dieter posted, I wonder how many others have pictures of Dallas at various shows or Opel meets they could share with Dallas' family. Dallas was truly in his element among fellow Opel owners.

Harold

[wrench459]

Attachment 19623Attachment 19624

[newman27]

Originally Posted by wrench459 Attachment 19623Attachment 19624

This is from the Opel meet when I first met Dallas and was my very first Opel meet which was hosted by Dan. That is my son and me in the second picture - Dallas was describing the custom gas filler cap on the Spyder.

Matt

[sawdust]

Dallas being interviewed for a TV show

[rrossjr]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr After seeing a couple of the pictures Dieter posted, I wonder how many others have pictures of Dallas at various shows or Opel meets they could share with Dallas' family. Dallas was truly in his element among fellow Opel owners. Harold

Here are a couple shots from the Rt. 66 show in 2007.
Like most of you, I was stunned by this news. We only met once, but Dallas struck me as a genuinely nice guy...someone I wish I had gotten to know better. He certainly will be missed.
My sincere condolences go out to his family.
Ron in Indy

[Motor Mouth]

Completely shocked to hear the news and my sincerest condolences to Dallas' family.

Although i've never meet him, the common bond we all share on this forum brings us together and to hear of someone so young passing is deeply saddening.

[manta73wi]

Such a loss. I really enjoyed the conversations I had with Dallas at Route 66. He certainly lived a rich life, and worked hard to overcome things that would have set back lesser men. He really had a knack for developing that stunning GT Spyder into a show-stopper. I guess his passing serves as a reminder not to take life for granted...you never know.
-Jeff W

[Gordy]

I can only agree with everything that has been said before...great loss to his family, his friends, and our Opel community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.