James Edward Austin Union, Sc

Mr. James Edward Austin, age 86, husband of Jane Middlebrooks Austin of 258 Austin Road, Union, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at his home. Mr. Austin was born in Union, SC May 19, 1928, a son of the late James Jason Austin and Kate McKeown Austin. He retired from the Union County Sheriff's Department and was a member of Mon Atena Baptist Church. Mr. Austin was a Veteran of the US Navy having served in World War II aboard the USS Leyte. Following the war, Mr. Austin served aboard the USS Randolph. During the Berlin Airlift, Mr. Austin served in the US Air Force. Mr. Austin was a Mason and had received his sixty year pin from the John A. Fant Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Union County Cattleman's Association. Surviving in addition to his wife of sixty-four years, are two sons: Darrell Austin and wife Kelly of Chapin, SC and Mark Austin and wife Robin of West Columbia; a sister, Marian A. English of Union; five grandchildren; Grayson Austin, Heather Hancock and husband Luke, Olivia Underwood and husband Brandon, Chase Austin and Cade Austin; a great-grandson, Bradley Hancock; numerous nieces, nephews, and a loving caregiver, Lakesha Eison. Mr. Austin was predeceased by an infant son, Richard Tyler Austin, a sister, Avaleen Baker and four brothers, William Austin, Harold Austin, F.D. Austin and Ralph "Doc" Austin. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Friday, September 26, 2014 at Mon Aetna Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Ron Gaddy, Rev. Vernon Thornhill and Rev. Jim Wiseman. Burial will be in Union Memorial Gardens Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday evening at the SR Holcombe Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Mike Austin, Joey English, Terry English, Eric English, Jeff Austin, Tim Austin, Gerald Baker and Vince Vanderford. The following are asked to serve as Honorary Pallbears: members of the Tom Alexander Sunday School Class, the Senior Citizens Group of Mon Aetna Baptist Church, Joey Conard and Pam Phipps. Memorials may be made to Mon Aetna Baptist Church Building Fund, 1431 Lockhart Hwy, Union, SC 29379 or to Salem Baptist Church, 1835 Tinker Creek Rd., Union, SC 29379 or to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 408 N. Duncan ByPass, Suite 200, Union, SC 29379. The family is at the home, 258 Austin Rd., Union.