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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Decator Harrell "Tate" Austin, Sr. passed away Sunday, April 23, 2000 at age 79.
A native of Hatteras, he was the son of the late Ernest Lee Austin and Kate Austin Burrus. Mr. Austin was a retired Captain with the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (Law Enforcement Division). He also served and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after 26 years from the USAF; a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
He was a founding member of the T.A.C. Sea Survival School at Langley AFB. War hero, Edward Rickenbacker, presented him the Air Force Commendation medal for his many contributions toward the development of modern-day life saving techniques for military airmen, as well as the original Mercury astronauts. He was a member of the Masonic Order, Bremond Lodge #241, Newport News, Va., the Marine Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Disabled American Veterans, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and Community United Methodist Church.
Mr. Austin is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Olive Stafford Austin; two daughters: Carolyn A. Culpepper and husband Herbert A. Culpepper, and Kaen A. Hayes and husband David D. Hayes, all of Virginia Beach.
He is also survived by three sons: Decator H. Austin, Jr. and wife Carol F. Austin, Gary L. Austin and wife Susan O. Austin of Virginia Beach, and Michael D. Austin of Greensboro. He leaves 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He also leaves two sisters: Avis A. Davis and husband Charles W. Davis of Norfolk, Va., and Minnie A. Burrus of Hatteras; and two brothers: David F. Austin and wife Ola B. Austin of Manteo, and Sheriff Albert "Bert" L. Austin of Hatteras.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening at Smith and Williams Funeral Home Kempsville Chapel. Services will be Wednesday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church with Dr. Keith Almond presiding. Burial will be at Princess Anne Memorial Gardens.
The Coastland Times
Manteo, NC
Tuesday, April 25, 2000
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1920 - 2000 (79 years)
