Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
John G. Austin Jr , 83, of Ovilla, Tx, aka Junebug, Junior, Dad, Papaw, Pap-pap and Uncle Junior, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019 at home with family. He was born in Mize, Mississippi on November 13, 1935.Visitation will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10:00 AM until service time with Memorial services at 11:00 AM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee. The Burial will follow at Calvary Presbyterian Church cemetery in Mize, Ms. Officiating will be Brother O. Hilton Austin. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is handling arrangements. (601) 849-5031.A lunch reception immediately following at Berry’s Seafood in Magee on US 49.John G. Austin Jr grew up in Mize, Ms and served in The United States Army for 21 years in many roles such as 3 different paratrooper outfits-the 82nd, 101st, and 187th airborne divisions. He had 2 tours in Vietnam earning the distinctions: South Vietnamese Medal of Honor, 2 Silver Stars and 3 Bronze Stars for gallantry. While serving his country, he met Private Rebecca Lowral Sisk and they married. Education was always a priority for John Jr. After retiring from the Army 1973, he set off to complete many degrees in Aircraft and Powerplant mechanics at Hinds Jr. College in Raymond, MS. Eventually John Jr earned a Bachelor of Science and Master in Science in Business at the University of Southern Mississippi, all the while raising a family and working full time while running the little farm in Cranfield, Ms. They also spent several years in Brandon and Pearl where Dad became the Community Development Director for the city of Pearl. Dad returned to service in the Mississippi State Guard, and worked up to the rank of Colonel. After retirement, John and Rebecca decided to move near the grandchildren for a few years in Florida. He continued his military endeavors in the Florida Guard obtaining the rank of Major General. They then moved to Texas next to Martha where they continued to live across the street until now. During his retirement years he also lead housebuilding and medical mission trips to Honduras and Turkey. He was responsible for completing 12 homes for a Honduran village. He was considered the patriarch of the Austin family. For years John Jr organized family reunions and ensured that we maintained our family connections and ancestry roots. Family was his life and his love for it shown through and through. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchild so much. He had great nicknames for all of them too such as Moochie Baby, JohnJohn, Nug, Sibby, Tank and Squishy.He was preceded in death by parents, John G. Sr and Edna Josephine Austin; brothers, James W., John D., Clinton P, Charles B., and Marshall E. ; sister, Effie Jean.Survived by his wife of 53 years, Rebecca Sisk Austin of Ovilla, TX; brothers O. Hilton Austin, Jack W. Austin; sister Judy Fortenberry; sons, John G. Austin III (Heather) of Alabama, Martha E. Moran (Wade) of Texas and SSG Gregory D. Austin (Jodie) of Georgia; five grandchildren: Elizabeth M. Franklin (Jordan), John G. Austin IV, Margaret G. Moran, Rebecca D. Moran and Caroline I. Moran; one great-granddaughter Elliana Marie Franklin.
