Thomas Austin

Thomas Earney Austin, 90, of Inman, SC, died Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at his home. Born in 1932, in Lenoir, NC, he was the husband of the late Wanda Punch Austin and son of the late Araminta and Lester Austin of Hickory, NC.

Mr. Austin was a retired inorganic chemist from Milliken & Company in Spartanburg. He had taught chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill and Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. His Masters and Ph.D. in organic chemistry were from UNC Chapel Hill. He was a member of Rejoice Lutheran Church in Inman and a lifetime member of South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission.

He is survived by his son, Jon O. Austin and wife Sue Ann of Cary, NC; his daughter, Katrina D. Austin of Inman, SC; his sister-in-law, Vernice Punch and Edna Punch of Hickory, NC; his cousin, Earl Austin, Jr. or Lenoir, NC; and his grandchildren, Rebekah Austin of Baltimore, MD, Stephanie Austin Graham (Jacob) of Detroit, MI, and Jon Hildebrandt of Texas. He was predeceased by a brother, James F. Austin, and a sister, Mary Anna Austin.

Visitation will be 1:00 – 1:45 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 4 Walnut St, Inman, SC 29349. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM at the church, conducted by Pastor Jeff Valentine.

Memorials may be made to Rejoice Lutheran Church, PO Box 445, Inman, SC 29349.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel