Henry Austin passed away during the night on his 99th birthday, at his home in Hazelwood, Missouri. He spent his last days surrounded by family and friends and being celebrated by those who loved him. Henry was born in the small town of McNab Arkansas on September 21, 1926, the youngest of six children of Dee and Lucy Austin. He graduated from Howard County Training High School and followed his sister Lucille to St. Louis after high school. He married Anna Mae Moore in 1950, and they had one child, daughter Terri Ann Austin.

Henry was drafted just a few months after getting married and served in the army overseas in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and received the Purple Heart. Henry was a member of the Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church for many years and read his bible daily. Henry was a hard worker his entire life and provided a comfortable life for his family. His long-time employers included Drug Master and Wohl Shoe Company, and he retired from St. Louis Diecast Company as a forklift driver. Henry was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Association of Machinists during his career.

Henry was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. When his grandchildren visited, they woke up to the smell of grandaddy's bacon and eggs and him sitting on the couch waiting to feed them and watch cartoons with them. In his later years, after moving in with his daughter, his great grandchildren would wake up and run to the living room to find grandaddy waiting for them on the couch. They would sit next to him, watching cartoons and asking for Pop-tarts.

He did anything and everything to make his family happy and he spoiled everyone. For many years he drove his grandchildren and their friends to school, to the mall, to work and anywhere else they wanted to go, reluctantly giving up his chauffer duties at age 95.

He never stopped giving until his last day, making sure his daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren had everything they needed and many things they wanted. He was a groomsman in his grandson's wedding at age 95 and was sure to make it to his granddaughter's wedding at age 97. Henry was also a surrogate father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle to many and a devoted friend.

Even in his upper nineties, Henry refused to sit still. He was up by 5 a.m. every morning cooking his breakfast, he insisted on taking the trash cans to the curb walking with his trusty cane, doing his own cleaning and laundry and would often walk to the barber shop around the corner once he was unable to drive.

He was always quick witted and enjoyed good-natured banter with family and friends, and he made sure everyone got a turn being in the hot seat. He enjoyed watching westerns like Gunsmoke and Bonanza, and listening to blues music, especially anything by B.B. King. He often played with the family cat, Wiley, while sitting in his spot on the couch listening to the blues or watching his favorite shows.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Dee and Lucy Austin, and his siblings Londell and Sam Austin, Estelle and Lucille Whitmore and Juanita King.

He is survived by daughter Terri Austin, grandchildren Andrew Page (Sarah),

Rachel Page Easley (Steven),Gabrielle Ellis, and Robert Tyrone Page, great-grandchildren Lincoln, Hope, Serenity, Gianna, and Christian, nieces Mollie Whitmore and Laverne Pollard, great-nieces Traci Thomas, Cherie Swingler, Vicki and Lori Turner, Ashley Spriggs, and Crystal Lawrence, nephew Sammie Lee Austin, great nephews Michael Lawrence, Ryan Swingler and Taylor Turner, cousins Sharon Jefferson Perez (Michael) and Stevie Jefferson and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Henry's beloved friends included John Whitmore, William Turner, Kelly Krueger, Calvin Brown, Andre Brown, Paul Brown, Caroline Brown, David Brown, Vanessa and Donnie Lardge, Denise Harris, Robert Page and the Page family.

Visitation Friday, October 3, 9:30 AM until time of Funeral Service 10:30 AM at Collier's Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd (St. Ann). Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.