Earnest F. Austin

   ^{Ernest F. Austin, 82, of Amarillo, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, July 10, 2015.
   Celebration of life services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2015,  at Hillside Amarillo South Church, 6901 Bell St. with Pastors Bob Miller and Sam Line officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
   Ernie was born May 20, 1933, in Haskell County, Texas to E.F. and Beulah Austin. He married the love of his life, Oleta Faye Pratt, July 24, 1953 in Vernon, Texas. Ernie entered the service on December 10, 1953, then deployed to Korea on May 25, 1954. Ernie served 18 months in Korea on the DMZ, then finally returned home October 19, 1955. He was a member of the American Legion post 0054.
   After relocating to Amarillo in 1955, Ernie was a service manager at Culligan Water Conditioning for 38 years, and then was a facilities supervisor at Texas A&M Research Center, where he retired in October of 1995.
   Ernie and Oleta were members of South Georgia Baptist Church, and were involved with Panhandle Bluegrass and Cowboy Poets. Ernie enjoyed 20 years of traveling with Oleta in their RV.
   He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elieugh; and two sisters, Silena “Sis”, and Faye.
   Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Oleta Austin; his daughters, Juquita Austin of Kingwood, and Alpha Lea Austin-Gustin and husband Art of Amarillo; siblings, Travis Austin and Daisy Hughes of Vernon, and Shirley Austin of Brenham; his grandchildren, Landon Gann and wife Diana of Flower Mound, Kaytie Gann and fiancé Zac Ammons of Amarillo, Allie Gustin and Nicklaus Gustin of Amarillo, Joey Hartman of College Station, and Taylor Gustin of Amarillo; and two great-grandchildren Brielle and Hason Gann.
   A true man of integrity, Ernie was the hero and backbone of his family and will be greatly missed by many.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Crossroads Country Church, P.O. Box 50608, Amarillo, TX 79159 C/O Bob Miller, the Church of Christ in Groom, TX, or your favorite charitable organization.
   Sign the online guestbook at boxwellbrothers.com.}