Rocky Austin

Rocky Eugene Austin passed away on February 2, 2025, at his home in Wichita, Kansas. Rocky was born in Marshfield, Missouri to Harold "Pete" and Mildred "Blondie" Austin on September 10, 1954. Rocky grew up in Fair Grove and graduated from Fair Grove High School in 1972.

Rocky was a welder all of his life, opening his own shop 1981 in Ponca City, Oklahoma and then moved to Wichita, Kansas in 2003 to manage Bill's American Muffler, which he & Cindy purchased in 2016. Rocky raced motocross in his younger years, but he thrived in his race car on the dirt track. He met his soul mate, Cindy, in 2000 at the track in Enid, Oklahoma. They shared 17 years together and then married on October 18, 2017.

They were together for 25 years. Rocky loved with all his heart and shared it in so many ways. He had a song written for his wife, "All the While" which was a true testament of his love for Cindy. He taught life skills and not-so-life skills to his nieces and nephews. His great nieces & great nephews would all gather around as he passed out crisp bills during Christmas and he enjoyed summer visits with his great nephew, Davion Torrez. Rocky would drive 8 hours round-trip just to visit his Dad and take him out to eat at Mexican Villa. Grandson Landen shared a special bond with his "Poppy". They spent a lot of time together, including a cub scout sleepover, a 4-day trip to Nashville, working on the Blazer he bought for Landen, and teaching Landen how to run the shop.

Rocky was a master behind the grill. He smoked the best pork, ribs, brisket and bologna ever, cooking up a feast for all. He found joy in making sure everyone was taken care of. He was generous with his friendship and his time. Rocky loved his fur babies but Kasey was his girl. He would take Kasey and Buddy for a ride in his truck on weekends to get a burger and have their jerky treats.

Rocky served 7 years in the National Guard as a Crew Chief on a Huey helicopter. He was also a life-time Brother of the Masonic Lodge.

Rocky was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred 'Blondie' (Kaylor) Austin; sister, Nancy Lea Austin and brother, Randy Lee Austin; father/mother-in-law Verlin Smith and Mildred Willson; brother-in-law, Donnie Wagner and sister-in-law, Terry Smith. He is survived by his father, Harold "Pete" Austin; daughters, Bridget Harmon (Ken), Amy Dixon and Amy Gunzelman; grandchildren, Meagan, Marin, Ethan, Jerrod Harmon and Landen Dixon; great grandchildren, Jaxon, Kenzi, Joel, Elsie and Clay; grand-dogs, Kasey and Buddy; siblings, Diana Krasser (Jerry), Rick Austin (Debbie), and Kelly Rook (Jody); brothers-in-law and sisters-in law, Francis (Judi) Smith, Darrell Smith, Verlin (Pam) Smith, Sharon Wagner, Mark Smith, Mike Smith and Tim Smith.

Rocky also leaves behind ten nieces and nephews; Doug Krasser, Kim McThompson, Sarina Watters, Whitney Tucker, Patrick Tucker, Kane Austin, Nicole Bower, Ryan Leaver, Kaili Reavis and Blake Taube, numerous niece and nephews from Smith family and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Rocky's remains will be shared with his wife Cindy in Wichita, Kansas and also placed next to his mother at Liberty Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri