John M. Astin

ASTIN John Michael "Mike" Astin, 58, restaurateur and inveterate entrepreneur, drowned in Costa Rica on May 28. He was doing what he loved best that final day: vacationing in his favorite place, boating, fishing, swimming. His companion Andrea Hall and their young daughter Ava were with him. Born September 9, 1953, in Stamford, Texas, Mike was the youngest of five children of Maxwell and Ruby Astin. He headed to Houston soon after high school and threw his abundant talents and energy into every job he undertook. He was a gifted salesman and won many awards but grew impatient with the corporate world, soon launching his own advertising/printing company: Tandem Marketing. Mike was a family man and followed his parents, sister and brother-in-law to Corpus Christi in the early '90s, his own family in tow. He purchased a home on 'the Island' to be as close to the water as possible. Before long, Mike began making an impact on Corpus Christi Beach, that little strip of sand that he loved, spending as much time as possible there ' growing his myriad businesses, contributing to the community, lobbying for improvements.Over a 20-year-period, he developed Pier 99 from a small bait stand to one of the most popular water-front restaurants along the Coastal Bend. Even as he reached the outer limits of his property, he sought innovative ways to improve and expand. Fishing and boating were synonymous with Mike Astin. He loved big game (and little game) fishing and eagerly rolled out of bed in the wee hours to get an early start, not always returning with a big catch but always with a humor-infused story. Few people could share jokes like Mike. Even unfunny stories became funny when he told them. A day on the water (fishing or not), a good joke, cold beer in hand, surrounded by loved ones ' life didn't get any better than that for Mike. Mike loved Costa Rica, the only place where he ever learned to really relax. Usually when 'relaxing,' he was making to-do lists for the next day. He was known for those endless lists, often making them for others who rarely moved as quickly as he wanted when projects were underway (which was always). A taskmaster he was, never wasting a moment because something always needed updating, expanding, painting, cleaning, improving.Mike's smile could light up a room and he smiled often, laughed easily. Family and friends will forever miss that smile and genuine laugh. He was taken from us prematurely, a loss that will be mourned by many and felt by a community for a very long time. But Mike would tell us to 'get over it' and get busy ' to check our lists and accomplish all we can each day.He loved children and never lost the playful quality that drew them to him. There was always room in his home and heart when a young person needed a place to turn. His was an open-door policy and a welcoming embrace greeted all who entered. Mike is survived by Andrea Hall and their beloved daughter Ava Astin, the light of his life; the many children he loved: Shannon Davis Falkenberg, Portland, Texas; Josh Davis, Corpus Christi; Alejandra Chavarria, Corpus Christi; and Ashley Chavarria, Austin; and four grandchildren, nieces and nephew, two aunts and many cousins. He is also survived by his sisters Joyce Rich, Woodland Hills, Calif., and Paula Bonillas, Ingleside, and brother David Astin, Rockport. He is preceded in death by both parents and a baby sister Linda Kay. Mike Astin was small of stature, larger than life. Ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus said it best, "From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow." Mike was a mighty man.Details of services to celebrate Mike's life are yet to be finalized and will be announced at a later date.