Jack Austin Obituary

Jackie Earl Austin passed away peacefully Sunday morning, March 23, 2025. He is survived by his 3 beloved children, Charles Austin (Stuart Whitman), Laura (Austin) Gonnell (Tony), and John Austin; two grandchildren, Shelby (Bunton) Benolken (Josh), and Amber (Austin) Huddle (Jonathan), and 6 great grandchildren: Kaylee, Ayla, Westley, and Liam Benolken, Sadie Austin, and Jett Huddle, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jackie was predeceased in death by his parents, William and Corine Austin, his two brothers, Edwin and Billy, his wife of 39 years Mary Helen (Bell) Austin, beloved mother of Charles, Laura, and John, in 1991, and his wife of 14 years Carolyn Ann (Stroud) Austin in 2010.
Jack was born December 12, 1932, in Mesquite, Texas to William Hearn and Corine (Parker) Austin. He was proud to be a third-generation Austin, one of Mesquite's earliest pioneer families. A 1950 graduate of Mesquite High School, Jack was a long-time member of First Christian Church of Mesquite and Eastridge Park Christian Church of Mesquite.
A life-long cattleman, Jack and Mary also owned and operated Austin's Drive-In Grocery in downtown Mesquite for many years, after which he owned and operated the Terrell Livestock Commission and Corsicana Meat Packing. In the 1980's, Jack and Mary owned and ran a successful bed-and-breakfast in Fredericksburg, Texas. Jackie will be remembered as a fine Christian man strong in his faith in God, always
true to his word and his beloved family. A genuine gentleman.
The life of Jack Austin will be celebrated at Laurel Oaks Funeral Home, 12649 Lake June Road, Balch Springs, Texas on
Thursday April 3. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m.and the service at 11:30 a.m.
The family would like to express our gratitude to the loving care provided by the Visiting Angels. Jack also greatly enjoyed their sense of humor with him, treating him with goodies, watching the birds and squirrels (especially one they named Robert) while sitting at the table, playing music and singing with him, and more than a few rousing games of dominoes!
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