John "David" Autin

John David Autin (known as David), age 72, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky, with his loving wife of 47 years, Katherine Johnson Autin, and his son, Michael David Autin by his side. David had been living with a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis more than twenty-one years and was recently diagnosed with very aggressive cancers in his thyroid and lungs that spread quickly. Those who knew him, knew that he considered himself Parkinson’s defiant and he refused to let it run his life.

He was the sixth child of eight, and fourth son born to Arnold Anthony Autin, Sr. and Elaine Ruth Leblanc Autin. David was a recipient of the National Merit Scholarship Award in 1970. He grew up in picturesque Houma, Louisiana in Cajun country until he was 18 when he left to attend Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. ,where he took his B.A. degree in English Literature. While there, he studied French Literature for one year at L’Université Catholique in Angers, France.

David began his 35-year career working for the U.S. Department of Commerce in D.C. and then later in New Orleans and ultimately served as the Executive Director of the Louisville U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration office until retirement in 2009. Among his many accomplishments for the federal government was authorship of A Basic Guide to Exporting and an article, “The History of International Trade,” for Colliers Encyclopedia. He was also an award-winning poet, and he authored his book of poetry, Birds Only Sing to Those Who Listen, published in 2014.

His joy in life was playing with words and he enjoyed making people laugh. He was never happier than when people read his poems to him so he could see their responses. He truly believed laughter is the highway to healing. David’s wife and son were everything to him and he spent his life making sure they were loved, happy, and he empowered them to follow their own paths in life. He was a rare soul that embodied empathy, intellect, patience, and stoicism, and he deeply and fully loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Elaine, and his brothers Tony, Richard, and Donel. He is survived by his brother Mark, and his sisters Sybil, Barbara, and Carla, and a large extended family who will miss him deeply.

Honoring his wishes, his body was donated for research to help the world discover cures for Parkinson’s and cancer. He requested that there be no funeral and the family will spread his ashes at his favorite place. For those who would like to donate in his honor, the family requests you donate to the National Parkinson’s Institute in Louisville, Kentucky at https://nationalparkinsonsinstitute.com/donate/.

His wife Katherine and son Michael will miss him dearly but are grateful that his long struggle has ended.

A Celebration of David will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Captain's Quarters for a pre-payed amount of $40 - Venmo @Katherine-Autin-1.