AUSTIN BURCH

Austin A. Burch Of Lakewood, Washington, passed away in the loving arms of Jesus Christ on Oct. 31, at the age of 85. Born on October 24, 1925, to Emma and Finley Burch, he grew up in Nebraska, graduating from the University of Nebraska. He remained an avid Cornhusker fan for the rest of his life. He was a World War II Vet. Family was important to Austin. He was "Dad" to his two children and "Hop Pop" to his grandchildren and all their friends. He loved to travel with the family, and often visited Denver. We will miss him terribly. Austin was passionately involved in prison ministry from 1974 into 2000, and was an enthusiastic representative of Prison Fellowship. He was among the founding members of Greater Tacoma Christian Layman's Outreach of Pierce County, which was instrumental in bringing the Billy Graham Crusade to open the Tacoma Dome in 1983 and also began, and continues, the annual Pierce Count Prayer Breakfast. G.T.C.L.O. gave birth to Christian Outreach Fellowship, which provided the Pierce County Jail Chaplaincy, and other community services, where Austin served as an officer of the Board of Directors. Through C.O.F. he was instrumental in inviting the Pastor's Prayer Summit movement to Pierce County. Austin was a passionate supporter of Youth for Christ and was a natural, gifted networker, helping many people and organizations connect. He is survived by daughter Leslie, of Denver; son Andrew and daughter-in-law Jill of Puyallup; and four grandchildren, Carolynn, John, Allison, and Mark. Donations are suggested to Youth for Christ or Taproot Theater in Seattle. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 am at Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church, 2419 East 72nd Street, Tacoma, WA 98404.