Jack Larkin Austin

Jack Larkin Austin, 96, retired physician and surgeon who practiced in Griffin for thirty-seven years, passed away peacefully at his home on January 14, 2011, following a long illness. He was the son of the late Dr. William Hubert Austin and Daisy Maynard Austin of Griffin. He was the brother of Ruth Austin Denney of Canton, GA, and the late William Hubert Austin, Jr., of New Jersey. Dr. Austin was born in Griffin GA on October 25, 1914, and attended the Griffin schools graduating from Griffin High School in 1931. He later attended the University of Georgia in Athens where he received a B.S. degree. He attended the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and received his M.D. degree in 1941, and was a member of Theta Kappa Psi Medical Fraternity. After training at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga TN, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and sent to the European Theater of Operations to join a base hospital. He served in several units in England until 1945, during which time he was promoted to Captain, then Major, then Commanding Officer, of 303rd Station Hospital in London, England. After 41 months overseas he returned to the U.S. and served a year in Florida and Fort McPherson in Atlanta GA. He was honorably discharged as Lt. Colonel in the Medical Reserves. After further training in Chicago and at Emory University, he began his private practice in Griffin in 1947, specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Dr. Austin was licensed to practice in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, and he continued that specialty for the next 37 years. He was on the staff of Griffin-Spalding County Hospital and served as President of the staff in 1954. He was a member of the Spalding County Medical Society and served as president one year. He retired in 1984. Dr. Austin participated in continuing education courses and maintained his medical licence throughout 25+ years of retirement. Dr. Austin was a member of the Medical Association of Georgia, the Georgia Association of Ophthalmology and the Georgia Society of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery. He was a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the American Medical Association. Dr. Austin was a member of the First United Methodist Church and of the Elks Club. Survivors and relatives include his wife Vera Yvonne Stimson Austin of Griffin, son Tony Austin of Lake Toxaway NC, daughter and son-in-law Ellen and Terry Moore of Monroe NC; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Austin of Atlanta, the late Alan Moore of Charlotte NC, Charles Moore and wife Jenny of Charlotte NC, and Jacquelyn Moore of Monroe NC; and three great grandchildren, Layla and Blake Covington-Moore of Monroe NC, and Scarlett Zoe Moore of Charlotte NC. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Denney of Canton GA, nephew Wilson Denney and wife Nancy of Athens GA, nephew Jackson Denney of McGrady NC, niece Ann Benzel and husband Marty of Waleska GA., niece Joan Denney of Canton GA. nephew Bill Austin and wife Jane of Salt Point NY, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Philip and Cynthia Laundy, and nephews Philip and Andrew Laundy, all of Ottawa, Canada. In the last years of his life, he was lovingly cared for by Connie Green, Beverly Phinazee, Connie Andrews, Sandy Jackson, Akilah Lee, and Tabitha Andrews, as well as by Ruby Vaughn of Vista Care Hospice at Home. The family wishes to express our gratitude for their commitment and their tender care to the needs of our family. Memorial services for Dr. Jack Austin will be conducted on Wednesday January 19, 2011 at 3:00pm in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Reverend Alan Benson and Reverend Larry Scott will officiate. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at the funeral home or at the residence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Medical College of Georgia / University of Georgia Medical School Partnership scholarship fund, the First Methodist Church of Griffin GA, or the charity of your choice. The family has asked that any of the Dr. Austin Medical Collages please sit in a group at the service.

Jack Larkin Austin

October 25, 1914 - January 14, 2011