Richard Dee Austin

Richard Dee Austin, 77, of Baird went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Hendrick Hospice in Abilene after a short battle with liver cancer.  

He was born in Abilene on August 18, 1944 to Louis and Doris Hollingsworth Austin.  Richard worked most of his life as a truck driver. After retiring from truck driving, he worked a year as a sacker for United Supermarket in Clyde.  The last three years, he was employed at Star Dodge in Abilene as a parts delivery driver.  He met Patricia Davis in September of 1995 through the local Avon consultant, Billie Jean Risten. They married July 11, 1998 and have enjoyed almost 27 years together.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Doris Austin; brothers Bill Austin and Denver Austin; sisters Wanda Munsch, Janice Strickland and Reannie Paschal; and children Timothy Austin and Patrisha Moore.

Richard is survived by his wife, Patricia Austin of Baird; children Dennis Austin of Lubbock, Larry Austin of Navasota, Chrystal Whiddon of Baird, and Amy Fish of Baird. He is survived by grandchildren Michael Webb and wife Meagan of Sherman, Arkansas, Cody Austin of El Paso, Ayla Austin of Benbrook, Courtney Austin of Hamlin, Whitney Austin of North Richland Hills, Austin Whiddon of Seadrift, Texas, Tanner Austin of North Richland Hills, and Trinity, Kalie, Alex and Christian Moore of Abilene.  He is also survived by brothers Paul Austin and wife Mary of Winnemucca, Nevada, and Fred Austin of Clyde; sister Jeannie Riley of Cleveland; brother-in-law Butch Mitchell and wife Judy of Graham, sister-in-law Colleena Shriver and husband Clifford of Baird, sister-in-law Laverne Mason and husband Jerry of Baird, sister-in-law Gail Norvell of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and brother-in-law Ray Davis, Jr. of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Richard loved to travel to sister-in-law Gail's house in New Mexico, jamming out to music all the way there and back. He also loved visiting long-time family friends Ronnie, Susie and Tony Diaz while visiting in New Mexico.  He loved going to the mountains of New Mexico and playing the penny machines at the casinos, and eating all the real Mexican food he could possibly eat in a week's time.  Richard was quiet, mild, meek, humble and a very wise man. He loved to do almost anything to make someone laugh.  We will miss him very much.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 14, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Baird, with lunch provided afterwards for family members. Richard's ashes will be placed in the Ross Cemetery Pavilion Columbarium following the service.  

A special thanks to the Hendrick Hospice outpatient and inpatient team for all the wonderful care they gave Richard during his last weeks of life.  Those who wish to remember Richard in a special way may make gifts in his memory to First Baptist Church of Baird, Hendrick Hospice of Abilene, or the American Cancer Society.

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