DONALD AUSTIN

1955 - 2023

DONALD MICHAEL

AUSTIN

May 4, 1955 July 20, 2023

Donald "Don" Michael Austin, 68, peacefully passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023, with his daughter and family by his side after a brief known battle with cancer.

Many knew Don as "Donnie" while his Austin family members only knew him as "Bud". Don was a kind man who was a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. He was born on May 4, 1955, in Brawley, California, to Roy Austin and Adrene Frowiss. He attended various elementary schools in both El Centro and Brawley. He moved to El Centro for his 8th grade year at Woodrow Wilson Junior High and then graduated from Central Union High School in 1973. After graduation, Don spent time working for the New Star Market before starting his career for the telephone company Pacific Bell on October 1, 1973. During his years at the phone company, he worked as a cable splicer, field engineer, and retired as an engineer in February 2010 after nearly 36 1/2 years of dedicated service.

Don was a native valley resident who never moved anywhere else until his last week of life to be with his daughter and her family in Montana. Don stayed in the valley, as he loved being near his dad, Roy. They shared a common love of the desert. At a young age, he started building and running sand rails, that eventually led to his love of riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. Don spent endless hours working on either his dirt buggies, sand rails, Harleys, or numerous vehicles, as he found great pleasure in doing so. Throughout his life, Don appreciated cars and especially the classics. This past year, he took great pride in fixing up his treasured 1969 Chevy El Camino, which his daughter and son-in-law have vowed to continue in his memory. In his downtime, he enjoyed watching historical documentaries on the world wars, reruns of Gunsmoke, and NASCAR weekly.

Don had an amazing black powder gun collection he acquired while a member of the Signal Mountain Muzzleloaders. Much of his retirement was spent volunteering with his dad, Roy, for Desert Wildlife Unlimited, checking on wildlife drinkers. He was also an active member of the Moose Lodge in Imperial.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Roy Austin; mother, Adrene Maxson; stepmother, Sandra Austin; nephew, Andrew Fleming; and great-nephew, Brandon Garcia. Don is survived by his daughter, Krissie Austin Brusso (Travis) of Corvallis, Montana; three grandchildren, Mackenzie (Nolan) Nicholas, Madalyn Brusso, and Tyler Brusso; sisters, Marsha (Jack) Keegan and Rosanne (Robert) Fleming; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A Celebration of Life Open House memorial will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 11:30 am to 2 pm at the Moose Lodge in Imperial, CA, following a private family interment. In lieu of flowers, the family invites gifts to be made in his memory to either the Wounded Warriors Foundation, the Tower to Tunnels Foundation, or St. Jude's Children Hospital, all of which were charities that Don regularly supported. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.