James Austin

With heavy hearts the family of Jim Austin would like to share that he gained his wings on January 1, 2024.

Jim was born March 8, 1968 in Morton, WA. His parents moved around a bit finally setting in North Pole where he graduated high school and attended trade school for welding. He spoke fondly of attending Kindergarten in Beaver Creek, BC. He developed a passion for heavy diesel equipment repair under the tutelage of his father who is a career veteran trucker on the North Slope Haul Road. Jim's nearly 40-year career developed into being a Master Mechanic and he was proud to have the diagnostic ability to fix any truck he encountered. He especially enjoyed rebuilding engines. Jim was proud to call Alaska his home and lived and worked in multiple regions statewide including Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, Soldotna and the North Slope. In Juneau he started SE Alaska Industrial Services and operated the business for approximately 15 years. He was a member of the IBEW and most recently worked for the Municipality of Anchorage.

Jim was currently in process of rebuilding Old Blue - a 1972 Ford pickup truck - one of his pride and joys. Jim also enjoyed spending as much time outdoors as he possibly could, splitting wood, tending campfires, riding his ATV and camping. He had a special love of dogs; his favorite was a black lab named Tulik II. His other passion was learning everything he could regarding WWII and collected memorabilia.

Jim's charismatic personality, contagious smile, humor and mischievous twinkle in his eye drew many people toward him. He was always quick to open the door and help anyone in need, and even quicker to make people laugh. When asked how he was he often stated, "If I was any better, there would be two of me!" He was an active member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Church and devoted his time in the church serving as the property councilman throughout the years in Juneau and Wasilla.

Jim is preceded in death by his first wife Myke (Augustus) Austin; mother Margery Austin; sister Nancy Austin; infant brother Davy Austin; stepdaughter Debbie Augustus and her husband Shawn Lewis.

Jim is survived by his second wife, Shelly Austin of Juneau, stepdaughter Nicole Rumery (Matt), grandchildren (Ollie and Logan) of Juneau and granddaughter Hailey Lewis from his first marriage; father Fred Austin of North Pole, sister Lauren Henning (PJ) of Fairbanks, Rick Austin (Brandi) of Delta Junction, Kevin Austin (Fane) of Wasilla, Rob Austin (Staci) of Oregon along with many nieces and nephews.

Donations in his name may be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Services will be held at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Wasilla on January 27th at 1pm