Jeffery David Austin's Obituary
Jeff was born in Charlotte Michigan, the oldest son of Charles Leroy and Phyllis Jean Austin. He was raised in Vermontville, Michigan with his three younger brothers. He served in the US Navy aboard the flagship of the 6th Fleet, the USS Columbus. He met and married his wife Bonnie while in the service and they moved to Michigan when he was discharged. Jeff worked for Oldsmobile in Lansing as an electrician and later, after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, as an engineer with the GMC Maintenance and Construction organization. While raising their two sons in Grand Ledge and DeWitt, Jeff advanced at Oldsmobile to the position of Superintendent of Maintenance and Construction.
Jeff’s love of sailing on the Great Lakes eventually led to retirement in 1999 and the purchase of S/Y Quickstep with many years of traveling under sail through the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Jeff leaves behind his wife Bonnie (nee Bonnie Regina Karp,) sons LTC Arieyeh J. Austin and Adon M. Austin, PE, three brothers Gregory Charles Austin, Michael Todd Austin, and James Patrick Austin and three grand-children Sophia, Naomi and Liam. Additionally, he will be missed by his mother-in-law Lucille Karp, sister’s-in-laws Patricia and Michaeline, daughter’s-in-law Barbara and Kathleen, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
To honor Jeff’s life-long passion of seeing young people succeed a Donor Advised Fund has been established in his name. The Jeffery D. Austin Youth Mentoring Fund supports charities that continue his lifelong efforts to mentor young people to help them realize their full potential and to utilize their unique gifts and talents.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the fund. Checks are payable to: American Endowment Fund, with ‘Jeffery D. Austin Youth Mentoring Fund’ listed in the memo section. Checks may be brought to the service or mailed to : Trinity Financial, 321 West Lake Lansing Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Guests received at the home starting at 2 pm. Shiva service to take place at 6 PM
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