Chili's to Assist with Aaron Allen's Funeral Costs; Donation Drives Set Up

The San Angelo Chili’s has been stricken with grief since the weekend, reeling from the tragic death of seven-month employee Aaron Allen.

Word of the car crash that claimed the 20-year-old’s life traveled to his workplace via social media Sunday, prompting General Manager Jackie Smith to shutter the doors of the eating establishment for lunch, while meanwhile a group of Chili’s employees drove down from Abilene to help San Angelo through Sunday’s dinner service.

“Aaron had been here since May,” Smith said via telephone Monday. “I know sometimes that doesn’t seem like a very long time if you’re working somewhere, but sometimes in the restaurant world that is quite some time. He was going to nursing school, so he planned on being here for the duration of his going to school.”

Although Allen had been on board at Chili’s for only seven months, he had developed close relationships with many of his co-workers and become a model employee.

“He was very impactful,” she said. “He was a very positive person, always smiling, very contagious, fun-loving guy. Everyone loved him. He was just a good kid. He helped take care of his mom, I know he was a big asset at Lake View when he went there, he had friends when he worked here. It’s a very big loss for us.”

As they work through the grief of Allen’s death, the staff are pulling together to aid the affected family and are applying for funding from the Brinker Family Fund to cover funeral expenses.

“We will be doing something, I’m just not sure exactly what,” Smith said. “I’m not sure to what extent, but we’ll definitely be covering part of his funeral expenses, if not all [of them].”

The Brinker Family Fund is a fund designated to assist employees and their families when facing severe illnesses or tragedies, Smith explained. While she has never been exposed to an event as tragic as the death of Aaron Allen, she has begun filling out the paperwork to apply for funds for the funeral.

Smith said she was impressed with Allen’s work ethic, and mentioned that he was punctual, reliable and always willing to go the extra mile, even if it meant coming into work on his day off to cover a shift.

“He was just an awesome, awesome employee,” she said. “You know, all of my team members are great, but some of them go that extra mile and he always did. I’m going to miss him.”

Allen’s death has affected the restaurant team heavily, she said, but with the assistance of restaurants from Abilene, grief-stricken employees will have the opportunity to peacefully mourn the loss.

“Both Abilene Chili’s, a few of their managers came down, a few of their team members came down to allow for our team members—the ones that were too upset to work—gave them time off. Also, when the funeral comes, [they] will come down to cover for us so we can be there with his family and to allow us time to grieve as well.”

In addition to the funds allocated from Brinker, the Chili’s in San Angelo will be accepting private donations to aid the family with expenses are they cope with their loss. Further donations are being accepted at the San Angelo Federal Credit Union under Allen’s mother’s name, Ruth Ruiz. 

The ASU powerlifting club, of which Allen was a member, is selling T-shirts for $20 and is allocating all funds to his family. More information here.

Allen's funeral has not yet been scheduled, however a tentative date has been set for Wednesday. The arrangements have not yet been finalized, but will take place at Johnson's Funeral Home.

The obituarie can be viewed here