Charles Lynn Austin

Charles Lynn Austin was born on April 23, 1952, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to Vestal and Mamie Austin. He lived in the Solway community for the majority of his life and was a proud alumni of Karns High School. An avid supporter of the Karns community, he was recognized as Mr. Karns in 2023. Charles loved coaching and was a coach in the Karns youth baseball and football programs, as well as the Karns Junior Pro basketball league where he led his team to the Junior Pro National Tournament. He was also a long time coach in the Karns Ruritan Youth basketball programs, where he coached alongside his son and his granddaughter. He also coached basketball at Northwest Middle School as well as Karns High School where he lived out his dream of coaching at the high school level.

Charles was a member of the Beaver Creek Kayak Club, the Rocky Top Cruisers, and the American Coaster Enthusiasts. As an avid lover of roller coasters, he completed a 30 hour marathon on the Great American Scream Machine. After retiring from K-25 and Y-12 after 41 years of service, Charles enjoyed traveling with his family and friends. Charles also loved the Lord, and was a charter member of West Village Christian Church.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Vestal and Mamie Austin; his brother, Mark and his sister, Shirley Ann; his father-in-law, Bob Terrell; and special brothers-in-law, Leroy Cox and Freddy Miraglia. The three musketeers are back together again.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Terri Terrell Austin; his children, Charlie Austin (Gina), and Tina Shelton (Michael); grandchildren, Lexie, Addie, Logan, and Austin; sister, Doris (Scott) Orr; brother, Alvin (Carolyn) Austin; mother-in-law, Frances Terrell; sisters-in-law, Gerry Cox, Kathy Campbell (John), Karen Miraglia, Sharon Terrell (Sheila); brother-in-law, Bobby Terrell (Zoe); numerous nieces and nephews; and best friend, Jimmy “Lightning” Swafford.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Weaver Funeral Home, 5815 Western Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee. In honor of Coach Papaw, please feel free to dress in your Karns blue and gold. The Funeral will take place on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at West Village Christian Church, 637 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Graveside immediately following at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens, 1501 Bethel Valley Road in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The family would like to thank Tennessee Cancer Specialists, Chelsea Hunt with Amedisys Hospice Care, as well as all of their friends and family for all of the love and support shown during Charles’ two year battle with Pancreatic Cancer.