Austin was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Austin and Fay Anthis. He moved to Houston, Texas with his family as a young boy. He graduated from San Jacinto High School and attended Rice University where he earned a BS degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. He then went to Lawrence College in Wisconsin and graduated with both a Masters and PhD in Chemical Engineering.
After graduation, while working in Houston, he met his beloved wife, Norma Ann at South Main Baptist Church and they were married in August of 1959. Their two children, Laurie and Joel, were born while they were living in Georgia. They later moved to Baton Rouge and eventually back to Houston in 1978.
Austin was a faithful husband and father. He loved his family and spending time with them. He served his family and others with a kind and gentle spirit that was admired by all those who knew him. He was also an accomplished professional engineer but more than anything he was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He led his family in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Nothing gave Austin greater joy than to see his children walking in a living relationship with Jesus and living according to the word of God.
He was a long time dedicated member of Houston's First Baptist Church where he was active in Stephen's Ministry, missions, and various Bible study and prayer groups. In his retirement years, he found great joy in prison ministry and Christian discipleship through InnerChange Freedom Initiative and Kairos Prison Ministry.
Austin was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Norma Ann Anthis, as well as his parents Austin F. Anthis, Sr. and Fay Wright Anthis, and his sisters Fay Evelyn Couch and Barbara Wagner. He is survived by his daughter Laurie Anthis Kattner and her husband Kenric, his son Joel N. Anthis and his wife Cindy and their children Austin Forrest III, Allison, Abigail, and Anna Grace.
Memorial Services will be held Thursday, May 7 at 11:00am at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, TX in The Loft, on the second floor.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Houston's First Baptist Church Missions Department.
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