Harold Austin Obituary

Harold G. Austin

Born: Nov. 20, 1916; in Mt. Holly, NJ

Died: Nov. 1, 2015; in LaGrange, IL

Harold Garwood Austin, born November 20, 1916 in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, was the only child of H.G. Austin, Sr. and Ethyl Forker Austin. He attended elementary school in Lavallette, New Jersey, where his family had moved when he was six years old. His high school education was at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. A graduate of Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee, he also attended the University of Alabama where he was in the aeronautical engineering program at the time of his induction into the Army Air Force in February, 1942. On August 1, 1942, he wed Susannah Lupton in Lincoln, Nebraska. In May of 1943, he embarked for England on the Queen Mary, now a troop ship in WWII.

After three years and three months, he rejoined Susannah in Chicago, where she was employed at George Williams College. Harold found employment with TWA. Later he became an employee of B.F. Goodrich and then with Lamson Brothers brokerage firm and Harris Trust and Savings Bank. In retirement, he was employed part-time with the local Magnavox distributor. In every situation, lifetime friendships were formed.

In 1958, he moved his family from Chicago to La Grange. He quickly became engaged in community activities. As a member of the La Grange YMCA's Y's Men's organization, he eventually served as their President and was instrumental in developing an active community extension program for youth with problems associated with drug abuse. This program now, independently, has widened to include peer counseling in the local schools. Additionally, as a member of First Presbyterian Church, La Grange, Harold served as an usher for many years.

He was always a dedicated Jersey boy at heart, and a lover of the ocean where he swam and fished regularly in his youth. He loved the outdoors.

Harold is survived by his wife; three children, John, Jim and Julie; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He passed away on November 1, 2015 in La Grange, of natural causes.

The family will hold a closed gathering of remembrance and reflection.