Obituary of L. Bruce Austin

L. BRUCE AUSTIN Kingsport - L. Bruce Austin, 80 of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 18, 2014 with his loving wife, Peggy by his side. Born in Scott County, Virginia, he had lived in Kingsport for most of his life. He was a 1953 graduate of Shoemaker High school and a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Paratrooper Division achieving the rank of Specialist 3rd Class. Bruce was retired from Tennessee Eastman Company following 43 years of service where he worked as an Engineering Technologist. He was past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee F&AM. He was past Master of Kingsport Lodge # 688 and was currently serving as treasurer a position he had held for 25 years. He also was very active with Kingsport Commandry. Mr. Austin was a member of Morrison City Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Dawn Austin; his son, Jeffery Bruce Austin; parents, Ben and Lelyia Gilreath Austin; sister, Kathleen Austin; brother, Howard Keener Austin. Bruce is survived by his wife of 58 years, Peggy Edwards Austin of Kingsport; sisters, Ruby Ann Hayes, Barbara Anderson and husband, C.H. and Elaine Lyall and husband, Larry all of Church Hill, Kathy Brooks and husband, Bobby of Kingsport; brothers, James Michael Austin of Jonesborough and Gene Austin and wife, Elizabeth of Kingsport; sisters-in-law, Louise Depew, Nancy Fullen, Cynthia Jones, and Rhonda Salley; brothers-in-law, Johnny Edwards and Gene Edwards along with several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport. Friends may also call anytime at the residence. A funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor David Salley and Pastor Bob Underwood, officiating. A graveside service will be conducted at 12 p.m. Monday in Oak Hill Memorial Park (Masonic Gardens). Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery at 11:55 a.m. Pallbearers will be Gene Austin, Michael Austin, Jamie Austin, Mark McCarty, M.J. McCarty, Mike Hayes and Jeff Gilliam. Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny Lawson, Johnny Edwards, Bobby Brooks, H. Anderson, Gene Jeter, Don Wolfe, Don Clayman, Bob Bogart and all his Lodge Friends. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Morrison City Christian Church, 1940 Darnell Drive, Kingsport, TN, 37665 or St. Jude Children Hospital Memorial and Honor Proram, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport is serving the Austin family.