Ronald Austin

Ronald Allen Austin passed away on January 3, 2025. He valiantly fought illness and cancer for many years before succumbing to the pneumonia that drew his last breath.

Ron was born August 28, 1944, to Walter and Pearl (Dyer) Austin. He grew up the youngest of seven children in rural Berry, Alabama, before attending Tuscaloosa High School and getting his GED at 16. He worked tirelessly in the grocery business to provide for himself and his family, and eventually became a manager. In the late 60s he left to start a fruit stand in Cottondale that went on to become a convenience store with the first self-service gas pump in Tuscaloosa County. He later expanded to seven Austin Food Stores that he owned and operated until selling the business in 1987. He then found a new passion in real estate, founding Main Street Business Brokers and Exclusive Realty in Tuscaloosa. He continued buying and selling real estate well into his later years.

Aside from having an excellent business mind, he also enjoyed art and music. He could often be found designing house plans on graphing paper, and many thought he would have made a fantastic architect. He loved to draw and sketch, and could replicate comic book covers with alarming accuracy. Ron’s beautiful singing voice was sometimes compared to his idol, Elvis Presley. He was a local legend on the karaoke scene, often singing songs by “The King.” He recorded many live performances for his family to enjoy.

Ron’s first marriage was to Tommie Owen in 1967. They were blessed with one daughter, Christi Hope. He later married Judy Barker Austin in 1982 and they shared three children, Stephen, Jennifer, and Katie. His children remember their father fondly as being fiercely loving and supportive. He will be missed dearly and his son Stephen would like to say “if I don’t see you again, meet me at the East Gate.”

Ron is survived by his four children Christi Smith (Randy), Stephen Austin, Jenny Little (Dan), and Katie Austin Karkow (David); his three grandsons Cameron Smith, Austin Little, and Dean Little; many nephews and nieces; and a large extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, all six siblings, and his former wife Judy Barker Austin.

A funeral service for Ronald will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, 2200 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 5434 Old Birmingham Hwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.