Austin K Walker

Austin was preceded in death by his father Larry Walker, grandmothers Bulena Walker and Helen Blondel Moran, and his grandfather Edward Moran. Austin is survived by his mother, Linda Moran-Walker-Martinez, brother Dustin G. Walker, nephews Keandre Walker, Dustin Walker Jr., Silas Bright-Walker and Achilles Walker, nieces Aaliyah Burstein, Alizea “Zea” Walker, and Destiny and Joleisy Walker, great-niece Naia Walker, sister-in-law Joleisy Machado, and his two sons Ashtin and Liam Walker whom he loved more than anything.

Austin was blessed to have a large family in North Carolina who he is survived by including his sister Nikki Reid (Dale) of Gastonia North Carolina, cousins Sam Walker, Kello Walker, Felicia Walker and Shannon Walker, aunts Dorothy and Joyce Walker, Uncles Rufus, James and Sam Walker and was preceded in death by his aunt Dorethea Kee. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, DJ, Audiah, and Aveon; great nephews Jai'Kel, Juelz and his great niece Londyn all from Gastonia, NC. Austin also left behind a large number of close friends who, along with his family will miss him dearly, as will his pets including Falkor, his 1 ½ year old beloved Yorkie (who is currently barking out of the front window at a much larger dog). Much like his owner, Falkor would never back down from a good fight whether or not the opponent was a “worthy adversary.”

Austin was the definition of FLOgrown having been born In Gainesville before moving with his mother Linda and brother Dustin to Sarasota where, beginning in Kindergarten, he attended a variety of elementary and middle schools (due to misunderstandings that were undoubtedly the fault of various faculty members at each institution) before graduating from Sarasota High School in 1999. Sports played a huge role in Austin’s life as he was an excellent athlete as a child competing in football, basketball, baseball and Karate (yes, Austin, I will tell them about the huge trophy you won). Austin’s athletic gifts continued into high school where he was a three-year varsity football letterman (bulk of the series) and was a two-time qualifier for the state finals as a member of the weightlifting team at SHS. Austin earned an athletic scholarship to Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa where he majored in trying to stay warm.

After college, Austin began his career as a gifted chef having learned under the tutelage of James Beard Award winner Roy Yamaguchi, a career he excelled at until taking an early retirement to allow himself the opportunity to watch his sons Ashtin and Liam, each grow into the man he strived to be every day of his life. Austin was affectionately referred to as “The Dude” due to his quick wit, disarming charm and uncanny ability to solve any problem you might have with sage advice such as, “Forget it dude, let’s go bowling.” We love you, Austin, and we will continue to water the beautiful seeds you planted on this Earth until we see you again—“this side or the other.” The Dude Abides.