James Anthony Aust
October 28, 1966 – September 18, 2026
James “Jim” Anthony Aust, 59, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away on September 18, 2026. He was born on October 28, 1966, in Torrance, California, to Linda (Denison) and Patrick Aust.
Jim grew up in the Southern California sunshine, where his love of music, cars, and adventure began. He was always someone who could make people laugh, whether with a perfectly timed joke, a ridiculous story, or simply by being himself. He loved his music loud and unapologetic—from Adam and the Ants and the Beastie Boys to the classic rock he grew up listening to. That sense of fun, individuality, and nostalgia stayed with him throughout his life.
Jim proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, a part of his life that his family will always honor and remember with pride.
But some of the most important years of Jim’s life were the years he spent being a father. He was a dad to Blake, Ashley, and Rachael, and each of his children held a different, deeply personal place in his heart. Fatherhood was a part of Jim’s life through many different chapters, and his children will carry memories of him from all of them—the ordinary days, the funny moments, the difficult moments, and the countless little pieces of life that become the memories we hold onto most.
Jim had a way of bringing his interests into the lives of the people he loved. His children grew up knowing that cars were never just cars to him. They represented history, creativity, freedom, and the joy of making something with your own hands. His passion for classic cars began when he was a boy and stayed with him for the rest of his life. He had a particular love for 1932 Fords and ’32 Roadsters, as well as 1950s and ’60s Chevy pickups, especially the C10.
After living in Delaware for a few years, Jim moved to Colorado in 2022 to be closer to his daughter and her family, and move in with his son. The move gave him the opportunity to be closer to the people he loved while also pursuing something that had been a lifelong passion. He found his dream job at Colorado’s Hot Rod Heaven, where he could spend his days surrounded by the classic cars he had loved since childhood. He loved the work, the cars, and especially the people he worked alongside.
In the later years of his life, Jim found a special kind of joy in being a grandfather. He adored his granddaughters, Emma and Ava, and took every opportunity to be part of their world. He never wanted to miss an event he was invited to, and he made even the simplest moments memorable. Every Halloween became an opportunity to dress up alongside the girls and go trick-or-treating. He played silly Barbie games, shared his collections and classic toys, and delighted in seeing the things he loved through their eyes.
Jim is survived by his children, Blake Aust, Ashley (Brandon) Vrcic, and Rachael Aust; his granddaughters, Emma and Ava Vrcic; his parents, Linda and Patrick Aust; and his sister, Jennifer Aust.
A funeral service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at 2:00 p.m. at his daughter’s home.
Jim will be remembered for his big heart, his sense of humor, his unmistakable love of music and classic cars, and the way he could make the people around him laugh. He will be remembered as a father, a grandfather, a son, a brother, a veteran, a friend, and a man who found joy in the things he loved.
Most of all, he will be remembered by the people who knew him best—not simply for the milestones of his life, but for the countless small moments that made him their Jim.
He will be deeply missed and forever loved.
