Don Wayne Austin

Don Wayne Austin was born Jan. 25, 1939 in Plainview, Texas, and he passed away on July 6, 2025 at the age of 86 in Farmington, New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Vivian Austin, his brothers Gene and Roger, and his sister Linda Litchfield. He is survived by his sisters Beverly Arce and Sandra Brierty his wife of 65 years, Karen, his children Lori, David, and Stephen, 19 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Don was born in Plainview, Texas, where he and his family eventually moved to Amarillo, then made their way to Vallejo, CA, where his father worked at the Mare Island shipyard during WWII. They eventually landed in a small town called Hammonton in northern California, where his father worked alongside 200 employees for a gold dredging company. Don, his siblings, and the employees’ children were taught in a one-room schoolhouse. When he was older, the family moved to Marysville, California where he went to high school, eventually joining the U.S Marine Corps. He served from 1956 to 1960, and during that time he earned his GED and completed a Non-Commissioned Officers School. One of his most memorable was Mountain Leadership School which was, in part, basic cold weather training, rock and ice climbing.  He was assigned to the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion at 29 Palms, completing his service with the rank of Sergeant.

While in the Marines, Don was visiting his grandparents and older brother Gene in southern California.  Gene was dating the girl across the street who had a good friend named Karen Taylor. Don met Karen and they carried on a long-distance relationship, eventually marrying in Las Vegas on Feb. 21, 1960, moving to the San Fernando Valley, and raising their three children.

Don worked for Zero Manufacturing Corp. for 38 years in multiple positions, starting as a grinder and working his way up to Production Manager, even without a college degree. The company eventually moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Don and Karen relocated and lived for over 30 years in their dream home on a half-acre of land overlooking a golf course. The main draw of the home, however, was that it could comfortably hold their growing family of children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. Don and Karen loved family visits, and their family has many happy memories of holidays, hiking, playing in the snow, and scouting for wayward golf balls in the large backyard.  

Don was always active, from the time he played baseball when he was young to excelling at handball, cycling, golfing, and fishing. He could often be found doing yardwork, woodworking, or inventing ways to fix problems around the house, even without the right parts (which he would then make himself). 

In 2024, Don and Karen moved to Farmington, New Mexico, after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia. Most importantly, he was a Christian who loved the Lord, tried to live his life accordingly, and never tired of telling people about the Gospel. He was active in their church, attending a weekly men’s Bible study, where he taught regularly, always studying hard to get it right.

He will be missed here on earth, but we have faith and comfort knowing that he is no longer suffering but is rejoicing with his heavenly Father.