Laszlo Szontagh

Laszlo Szontagh

May 30, 1937 – December 22, 2024

Laszlo Szontagh, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Richardson, Texas. His daughter and grandson were by his bedside as he joined his beloved wife in Heaven.

Born on May 30, 1937, in Many, Hungary, to Andras Szontagh and Maria Bohm, Laszlo was one of nine children and is survived by his younger sister, Margit.

Laszlo’s early life was marked by resilience and determination. He attended trade school in Budapest and completed an electrical apprenticeship, but his plans were upended in 1956 when the Hungarian Revolution—a nationwide uprising against Soviet rule—was brutally crushed. Facing oppression and danger, Laszlo heeded his brother Karoly’s advice and fled Hungary, jumping onto a crowded train bound for Austria as Soviet tanks advanced into Budapest. He was among 200,000 Hungarian refugees seeking political asylum.

Through the assistance of Catholic Charities, Laszlo found his way to Texas. In Longview, civic and religious leaders formed the Hungarian Freedom Committee, and on December 20, 1956, Laszlo and five others were welcomed into the community to begin their new lives. He was just 19 years old, with little more than an eighth-grade education, but he carried an unshakable resolve to build a brighter future.

Laszlo worked as an automobile mechanic, drawing on his training from Hungary. In 1961, he met and married the love of his life, Gail Jones of Diana, Texas. A year later, Laszlo was drafted into the United States Army, serving two proud years before settling with Gail and their daughter, Mary Lisa, in Dallas.

In 1967, Laszlo opened Laszlo’s Foreign Car Service in Richardson, the first Volkswagen-authorized repair shop in the Dallas area. Coincidentally, this was one year before the Volkswagen Beetle became the best-selling car in the world. His foresight and expertise helped establish it as a trusted service for foreign and luxury vehicles, eventually expanding into a family business with the help of his late brother Frank. After 50 successful years, the shop closed its doors in 2017, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Laszlo’s life.

Despite the life he built in Texas, Laszlo’s heart never strayed far from Hungary. Following the 1966 amnesty for Hungarian refugees, he returned with his family to reconnect with his roots, and he remained committed to supporting loved ones back home throughout his life.

Laszlo’s retirement years were spent in peace, enjoying time with Gail, their dog, Scooby, and their cherished family. Laszlo and Gail shared 61 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in 2022.

Laszlo is survived by his daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law, Alfred; grandson, Cameron, and wife, Alexandra; nephew, Viktor, and wife, Jenna; nieces and nephews Mitchael, Michelle, Ricky; Tibor, and wife, Emi; godson, Peter; and his beloved dog, Scooby. He also leaves behind countless great nieces and nephews, friends, and customers. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, brothers, and nephews. 

A private celebration of life will be held by the family. Your prayers and support during this time are deeply appreciated.