Lewis Austin loved life, with full gusto.

On August 11^th, 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…