Bobby Dene Austin

Bobby Dene Austin left his family and friends on May 31, 2021, a fitting end to this career Navy Man to pass on Memorial Day.  Born in Horatio, Arkansas in 1933, Bob served his country in the United States Navy during Vietnam, served in the Philippines and Hawaii and retired in 1962.  In 1958 he married the love of his life, Frances Sharp, known to all who love her at Pat and known to Bob as Patti Sue.  Together they traveled the U.S. in many versions of campers visiting friends and family all over the country and, for many years, visiting former Navy friends at reunions.

After living for several years in Knoxville where Bob worked for Knox County, they retired and moved to Harlingen, Texas where they had spent many winters as Snow Birds.  Together they made many friends with Bob teaching computers and Pat teaching cake decorating and handcrafts.  Serving on the pick-up ship for Apollo 11 was one of Bobby’s most outstanding opportunities in a career full of them with the Navy.  Treasured personal photos of the crew and pickup were passed to friends and family.

Bob is survived by his best friend and wife, Frances (Pat) Austin; brother, Glen (Vickie) Austin; brother-in-law, Don (Lisa) Sharp, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded by his parents, Othor and Ellie Austin; his brothers, Lloyd Gene, Joe; and sister, Verna.

Memorial services will be scheduled at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Memorial donations in honor of Bobby Dene Austin may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).