Mark Richard Austin

Mark Richard Austin Mark Richard Austin, beloved husband, father, brother, son and friend died in Austin, Texas on April 6, 2013 surrounded by family. He was born November 8, 1951 to Robert Sparell Austin and Vera Jane (Berti) Austin in Oakland, California and grew up in Sullivan, Missouri. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1969 and attended the University of Missouri. As an adult Mark lived in Austin, San Francisco and Los Angeles, where he pursued his love of acting, film and photography. Most of all, Mark loved his family: his wife of 26 years, Barbara Badgett Austin; son Nick, daughter Elizabeth (Betty), brother Michael, all of Austin; and his mother Vera Bell, who remains in Sullivan. He was preceded in death many years earlier by his father. Mark could fix anything. He renovated and built the home in Austin where his children grew up and made a business restoring vintage bicycles, motorcycles, guitars and anything else he could get his hands on. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved movies - his knowledge of old, obscure and cult films was encyclopedic. "He was the sweetest and funniest man I've ever known," says his wife. A memorial service will be held at Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan on Thursday, April 11 - visitation at 6pm and service at 7pm. Continuing their tradition of gathering for Sunday night dinners, the Austin family invites Mark's friends to join them for a potluck dinner and wake at the family home in Austin at 5 pm on Sunday, April 14 to celebrate Mark's life - telling stories, singing songs, talking in funny accents - all things Mark loved to do.