Howard Christopher Austin

Howard (Crit) Christopher Austin, 76, of Myrtle Beach South Carolina, passed away on November
20th, 2024, after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer's.
Crit was born on December 19th,1947 to Howard Taft Austin and Camille Walter Austin in Clarksville
Tennessee. Crit attended Christian County High School. There, he was an excellent student and
athlete who excelled in baseball. He graduated in 1965. After High School, he attended Austin Peay
University studying Mathematics and Physics, graduating in 1969.
After completing his education, Crit joined the United States Air force and was assigned to a data
processing unit in Japan. He excelled in the position, his mother receiving a letter saying he had been
named Honor Graduate in Computer Training.
After serving our Country for 4 years (1969-73), Crit was recruited to work for Electronic Data
Systems, a young computer company owned by H. Ross Perot. EDS was a company of abundant
opportunity and stellar people, where he would spend 37 years.
Crit was a dedicated athlete, who throughout his life continued his running, tennis, softball, and golf.
He completed five marathons and many other races, often winning his age class.
While working at EDS, Crit met Elaine Broach in 1978. They married in June 1980 at Salem Baptist
Church in Christian County, Kentucky.
EDS would move their lives from Miami FL to Plano TX where their first child Jeffrey Austin would be
born. Next, they moved to Duluth, GA where their second son Nicholas Austin was born. Work would
then take them to Northern Virginia, where they would spend the next 20 years in Sterling, VA.
Crit was a loving, ever-present and consistent father. He was kind, selfless and led by example. He
loved spending time with his family.
In 2010, Crit and Elaine retired together to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the family had
vacationed for many years. For them, Myrtle Beach offered the best golf and seafood while keeping
them within reach of their new Grandson, Landon Austin. They spent their time traveling the world,
playing golf, and loving every moment they shared.
Crit and Elaine spent 44 years of love and happiness together.
Crit was predeceased by his father, Howard Taft Austin, mother, Camille Walter Anderson and son,
Nicholas Scott Austin. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Austin, sister, Janet Hudson, brother,
Stephen Austin, son, Jeffrey Austin, and grandson Landon Austin.
A reception will be held at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC on November 30th at
2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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