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BORN
1946
DIED
2025
Bryce Austin Obituary
During his youth, Bryce worked on his family farm, with his mother, father and brother, producing and processing plums for Sunsweet Prunes, and agricultural and craft products (including the most beautiful Christmas wreaths you've even seen) for sale in the town of Guerneville.
He started his professional career at Santa Rosa Stainless Steel at 19 years old, as the shop janitor. With his perfectionism and professionalism, he rose up the ranks, working as a welder and ending his career as the head of shop production. He was a meticulous and skilled craftsman, a natural leader and a kind boss.
Bryce continued to work as a prolific hobby farmer up until his later years. His farm, Austin Heritage Fruit Ranch, made him a celebrated fixture in Sonoma County farmers' markets. With the enthusiasm and curiosity of a young man, Bryce planted 145 fruit and nut trees in his 3-acre orchard. He took orchard maintenance classes at Santa Rosa Jr College to develop his technical skills and experimented with exotic trees like macadamia and pistachio nuts, as well as antique varieties of apples, peaches, plums and apricots, to name a few. He became known for the exceptional quality of his products, and as the only producer of avocados in Sonoma County, often boasting that his property was located on a "banana belt." He was a thoughtful and generous man, famous for gifting flats of freshly picked fruit to anyone who invited him for a visit. His children were so spoiled with the highest quality fruit that they didn't dare buy any at grocery stores until they were well into their 20s.
Bryce was an active outdoorsman, he enjoyed hobbies like fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing and working his land. He personally built miles of road up and down his family acreage, in addition to two trout ponds and two campgrounds.
He is survived by his two sons, Bryce and Michael, and his daughter Molly.
Services to honor and remember his life will be held on January 15th at 12:30 PM, at the Redwood Memorial Gardens in Guerneville. In lieu of flowers, please visit your local farmers' market and treat yourself to some seasonal fruit.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bryce Austin
Darlene Hall Flint
January 19, 2026
Bryce was one of the nicest people I've ever known.
Analy High, 1964
Jerry Rice
January 15, 2026
Bryce was a good man. Worked with him for 20+ Years. Witnessed his suffering and love he had for his late wife during her decline. Rest in peace my friend!
Gina Follansbee- Smith
January 14, 2026
My family had known Bryce for as long as I can remember. My dad would work on his truck in our garage. In later years both my little brothers worked with him at SRSS. He was a great man who was always smiling and I´ll never forget his laugh. Prayers to his family as you grieve his loss. I hope you know how much he loved you all.
.
January 12, 2026
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
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Janice Faylor Stenger
January 11, 2026
I was in class with Bryce from age 5yrs old to Analy 1964 High School. My Grandmother's house and my great grandmothers house were not so far from their Ranch. He was a quiet young man who worked very hard and never got into any nonsense . His mother was the hardest working woman I've ever known. We were a class of about 35 kids and sadly most have passed on. I am very sad I haven't kept in contact, but it always seemed like were still that middle aged group and that we had time. So sad to see Ive missed knowing him as a grown man.
Danny Strawn
January 11, 2026
I worked with Bryce at srss for 15 years. I did some work on his 59 Chevy pickup Miss Apache. We put a roller cam in it too. You´ll be missed pal.
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