Birth date: Nov 21, 1919 Death date: Jun 9, 2007
Mr. James K. Austin, age 87, died peacefully Saturday, June 9, 2007 with his family at his side. He was born November 21, 1919 in Lakeside to James L. and Oleva (Green) Austin, and lived in Muskegon for almost all of his life. Mr. Read Obituary
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G'night##imported-begin##floorcushion##imported-end##
Condolence##imported-begin##Carol Kimble##imported-end##
Grandpa, you have been a great teacher to me and you will always live on in my life. I am going to miss hearing you say "How was school today Coley?" when I come over. I bet your playing with Oliver and Crombie right now. I miss you grandpa. Love Coley##imported-begin##Nicole Austin##imported-end##
I owe a thank you to Jim Austin for being my first environmental mentor. I met Jim so many years ago when I worked on the issue of the Westran landfill spit into Muskegon Lake as a school project. Jim helped me to connect the health of Muskegon Lake to the walleye reintroduction projects I worked on in the mid-1970s. When I moved back to Muskegon County I had the pleasure of Jim's fishing activities with the Muskegon Steelheaders. Jim showed us how to have fun fishing, but never lose sight that clean water and natural shoreline habitats are basic to a healthy fishery. When Jim told me to go help take care of White Lake with Wint Dalstrom, I knew Muskegon Lake SOS would always be in good care with Jim.
Tom Hamilton, Fishery Biologist (retired)##imported-begin##Tom Hamilton##imported-end##
I have known Jim since the North Star Steel days. Later I served as SOS Vice President while he was President. Then he was Vice President while I was President. He was a true leader and I looked up to him as my mentor. He always saw the issues clearly and articulated his views forcefully. He was the essence of Muskegon Save Our Shoreline. I will miss him greatly!##imported-begin##Jerry Bakke##imported-end##
A great warrior in the fight for environmental stewardship and better communities is gone.##imported-begin##Cynthia Price##imported-end##
There are few people in this world I can honestly say that I admire. Jim Austin was one of those few. There probably isn't a half dozen people I would say this about but I want to be just like Jim. When I speak in front of people I want to have his presence and his sense of humor. When I am faced with adversity I want to have his ability to keep things in perspective. I want to call them like I see them, as Jim always did. I want his love for both learning and teaching to accompany me for my entire life as it did in his. I want people to look up to me the way people looked up to him.
I never really told him any of this. I never felt I had to, as Jim knew that imitation is the sincerest form of admiration. He also knew that actions speak louder than words. Even so, when Jim spoke everybody listened.
Jim and Marie loved to do community service. Doing community service was a foreign notion to me when I first met them. Those of you that know now me may realize that I do community service on a regular basis, but may not know that I was more than partially motivated by Jim and Marie's fine example. Over time as it turns out, I have become quite fond of it.
Jim’s love for his community and his planet was only exceeded by his love for his family. All of Jim’s possessions really belonged to his family. Anything Jim had was available at anytime for his family to take and use. He would have gladly slept in a tent if it meant that a warm dry place he vacated was available for his family’s comfort. Jim would have walked a mile in a Michigan snowstorm rather than let a family member not have a car to drive a few blocks on a chilly day. I honestly believe Jim would have not only gone hungry, but would have shrugged off any discomfort encountered in order to provide for his family. Jim would have done so without any form of hesitation or consideration. Instead of complaining he would have uttered some profound quote or passed on some sagely old Proverb to explain the situation.
Jim carried a torch far too heavy for one man not from the old school to carry. Marie was always there to help keep that torch lit and held high. Because of that simple and undisputable fact of physics, the torch Jim has passed will now have to be carried by many.
And I have no doubt that it will. Jim made far too many friends to have his torch dropped any time too soon.
Godspeed Jim
And 73 OM,
Mark Derby##imported-begin##Mark Derby##imported-end##
I first met Jim about 1936, we caddied at the Muskegon country club. He was always a gentleman, even when he was a teenager,and could he play golf!he was liked by all,and a lakesider all his life. I still consider myself a lakesider, although many years have passed.To his wife and family, I would like to say that he was loved by many from boyhood on.All of of us are better for having known him.##imported-begin##robert poe##imported-end##
Dear Marie,
We are all so saddened by Jim's death. We will all miss him. He was a true gentleman, and always a delightful addition to any gathering- whether in a group of friend or speaking in a public forum,and especially in a cast. The two of you always added such zest to our productions! We were privilieged to call him our friend.
While Jim is now gone from our lives, he will always remain in our hearts.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Ginny and Rem Sprague and all of your friends at Muskegon Civic Theatre##imported-begin##Muskegon Civic Theatre##imported-end##
My sympathy goes out to all of "Uncle Jim's" family. He was a very special person, especialy to my Dad. I can still hear him coming in to my Mom and Dad's house and saying " Hi Boo, How are the fish biting? I'm am sure they are fishing as we speak!##imported-begin##nancy green medema##imported-end##
