- Date Of Birth: February 4, 1956
- Date Of Death: December 12, 2022
- State: Montana
Jon Richard Austin passed away peacefully, quietly, and unexpectedly in his sleep the morning of December 12, 2022. His fiancé and his beloved puppy were by his side.
Born on February 24, 1956 on what he always thought was the start of spring, to Richard and Mary Harris Austin.
Jon was raised on the family farm outside of Kalispell, Montana. He had an adventurous childhood on the banks of the Flathead River. Summers were filled with hunting, fishing, trapping, swimming, and work with his friends, and brothers. It was also where he discovered his love of running. Jon graduated from Flathead High School in 1974 as the class salutatorian. During his high school years, he was known as the ‘Flathead Flash”, and 50 years later he still holds the school record for the 440yd/400m race. His running prowess took him to invitational events all over the United States. It also earned him a scholarship to Idaho State University where he would compete in the Mini-Dome on the “world’s fastest indoor track”. He and his teammates were Big Sky Champions year after year. His 4×400 relay team even held the world record for a short time. It was the best time of his life and his teammates were his lifelong friends.
He graduated ISU with a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology. He moved back to his beloved Montana where he began his career as a Social Worker with the State of Montana, first in Deer Lodge and then moving to Missoula.
Jon’s life changed dramatically in the spring of 1986 when his son Michael was born to him, and Jo Ross Austin. It was love at first sight, becoming a dad was the purpose in life he was seeking. On a late summer day two years later, his daughter Elizabeth was born in his spitting image.
He left his job in social work to concentrate on raising the children. It was at this time that Jon discovered his artistic talent as a carver, sculptor and painter. Specializing in songbirds, he went on to become an award winning carver. He was especially proud of being featured at the C.M. Russell art auction in 1995, and the Inland Empire Bird Carving Association naming him artist of the year in 1993.
In 2015, Jon took another chance, “swiped right” and met the woman he’d spend the rest of his life with, Trini Garrison. They were peas in a pod, and loved each other unconditionally. They loved long conversations and silly ones too! Their favorite place to travel was the Baja peninsula in Mexico, going as often as time would allow. They were not given enough time together to do everything they dreamed of.
Jon loved his home, and studio in the Rose Park area of Missoula, he had created the most wonderful backyard bird sanctuary. He had many friends there, and was an active member of the United Church of Christ. After living in Missoula for over 30 years it was time for another change, and in 2017 he followed Trini when she moved back to her hometown of Eureka, Montana. He was loving his adopted community, and making new friends. Jon will be remembered as the man in the red snow boots and red down jacket.
Jon was kind soul, with a kind heart. He was always a champion for the underdog, and a true social justice warrior before social justice was a catch phrase. He wanted equality for fellow humans, and a fair leg up in the world for everyone.
