Lewis Austin

May 27, 1933 - August 11, 2020

05/27/1933 - 08/11/2020

Past Services

Memorial
Friday May 28, 2021
11:00 am
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Southside Chapel
5033 Rouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 422-4000 | Directions
Cemetery
Friday May 28, 2021
3:00 pm
Albert G. Horton Memorial Veteran Cemetery
5310 Milners Rd.
Suffolk, VA 23434
757-255-7217 | Directions

Lewis Austin loved life, with full gusto.
On August 11th, 2020, Lewis A. Austin of Norfolk, VA lost his battle with Alzheimer’s.  This battle was just one of many that he fought in his 87 short years.  He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Karen Austin and his three children; Mark (his daughter Tiffani, and her rug rat, Ryker), Kimberly (her husband Steve, and monsters Cory, Christopher, and Tyler), and last, but not least, Scott (his wife Hanna, spawn Hunter, daughter Kaylee and her daughter, Addison).  Lewis is also survived by his brother, Robert Austin, several nieces and nephews, and, of course, all the mountain folk.
Lewis was an expert hunter; from the early days of hunting rabbits and squirrels with his brothers, Gene and Bobby, to deer hunting with his children, grandchildren, friends, and even a few enemies.  As a Boy Scout leader and 4-H volunteer, he loved teaching people how to shoot.  He once shot a deer out of the window of his truck, while driving through a field steering with his knee. Ironically, he was a volunteer Hunter Safety instructor for the State of Virginia.  You can’t make it up!
Lewis had many accomplishments in his life.  How many, you ask?  Very many!  How much time do you have?  He would tell you almost everything he ever did, every time you would see him.  If you’ve only heard his stories once, you must have only known him for a minute!  Name something, and he probably did it.  Yep!  He did that, no matter what you were thinking!
In the days since his passing, the cliché of “he is in a better place now” has been used multiple times.  It has been determined, however, that no matter where he ended up, he is in the company of many people he has known.  Lewis would almost certainly forget your name, but he would never forget your face.
Lewis (AKA Lew, Louie, Jack and, with certain family, Junior) wouldn’t want you to be sad.  As a veteran of the Korean War, he was never afraid of death.  In fact, he stared death in the face many times.  No, he wouldn’t want you to be sad.  He would want you to go hunting, fishing, and camping.  He would want you to drive fast, ride a motorcycle, and cuss at stupid people.  He would want you to tell stories (preferably one of his!), tell a joke, and watch a John Wayne movie.  He would want you to love your wife, love your dog, and beat your children.  Or was it the other way around?  Oh!  LOVE your children and FEED your dog, got it!  And his favorite?  Drink some Jack Daniels.  Seriously!  Have a shot of Jack in his honor and celebrate his crazy, amazing life.
He wouldn’t have died if he hadn’t lived and lived, he did.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 28th at 11am at Altmeyer Funeral Home Southside Chapel. Military honors will be rendered that same day at 3pm at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. In “LEW” of flowers, please donate towards a medical charity of your choice in his name, Lewis Austin.
In other news, Jack Daniels’ stock lost 87% of its value…

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Dot Oberlander
3 years ago

I met Lew when I volunteered to help teach Hunter Safety for Virginia. He was quite a character! His whole purpose in teaching Hunter Safety was to get the younger generation started in the right direction, to respect animals, follow the laws, and above all, to use all the safety practices that were available to make a person a responsible hunter. He showed me his technique in getting through to the youngest student in the crowd. From that time on, even if I wasn’t teaching in his class, I used that technique for every class I assisted with. The world is a better place for his influence and he leaves a hole that will be very hard to fill. I’m glad to have known him for the 15 or 20 years that I was involved in the Hunter Safety Program.

Michael J. O'Tool
3 years ago

Lew and I taught Virginia Hunter Education for several years at many locations throughout the state. His stories and humor always made me smile. He lived for the the fun that life gave him. Always a smile and friendly bantering about hunting, his family, the Boy Scouts, 4 H, Volunteer work, Korea, fishing, Norfolk, carpentry, raising kids, shooting a shotgun, bananas, his family and his family. He never met a stranger, he helped everyone – even if they didn’t ask and even if he just met someone he sounded like he knew them forever as a great friend. He was my friend and I won’t forget his kindness and friendship.

Peggy Arsenault
3 years ago

Last time I saw Jack was in 2014 when I lost my husband and he and Karen came to Hampton to have lunch with me and Karen asked him if he remembered me and he said sure, you did scouts together. Jack was a very nice guy and loved life. He’ll be missed, rest in peace Jack, prayers to his family.

Holly
3 years ago

And this is my Uncle Jack, to a T. I remember at Scott’s wedding, he offered my Mom his drink. I stopped her in time, thank goodness, or we would have had to carry her home. 🙂 He was my favorite story-teller, and I do often tell of how he got a buck after open heart surgery. He shot from the hip. Or so I’m told. And of how he turned out late for morning roll call, in civvies, with a cup of coffee, the day after his Army term of service ended. I love him dearly, and always will. He’s now with my Mama, telling her again about that squirrel running up the gunbarrel. Or trying to sneak something into her drink. Till we meet again, Uncle Jack. We love you.

Betty Credle
3 years ago

Kim, I just read the awesome tribute to your father. I wish I had known him!

J.C. Gaitley III
3 years ago

Knew Lew many years ago thru Hunter Ed he always thought of others and had a great sense of humor. will miss him greatly my deepest condolences to the family