M. Reid Austin

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FERRON-M. Reid Austin, age 85, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away March 14, 2010 after a long and fulfilling life. He was born May 29, 1924 to Albert Merell Austin and Phoebe Sariah Safley Austin in Helper, Carbon County, Utah. He married Phyllis Mangum on Feb. 26, 1943 in Price, Utah, then on May 25, 1951 they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti LDS Temple.
Reid was a resident of Helper, Garfield, Price, Hiawatha, and Ferron, Utah, (plus Vanadium and Hanover, N.M.). He attended schools in both Hiawatha and Carbon High School, he was a member of the CCC’s. He worked 49 years for United States Fuel Company as warehouseman and purchasing manager until he retired on May 30, 1980. He also served as U.S. Fuel Credit Union treasurer and clerk, plus town of Hiawatha treasurer and clerk.
He was an active Melchizedek Priesthood holder and enjoyed serving as a home teacher, in the Bishopric, Stake High Council and held various positions as employment specialist, Young Mens (YM-MIA) program and ward clerk. He had an appreciation for the simple things in life and taught those he came in contact with to appreciate life, care for your loved ones, and always give your best effort at whatever you do in life.
He was somewhat of a perfectionist, but known by his family members “As the Ice Cream Man.” He loved tinkering around in his work-shops fixing things and playing his trumpet for funerals and Henry Holdsworth Post #14. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping trips, but most of all, serving an LDS mission in Texas with his companion and wife and then doing temple work for six years in the St. George Temple.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, William Lonnie Mitchell III and his lifelong sweetheart of 67 years Phyllis Austin.
He is survived by daughter Doris Mitchell of Price and three granddaughters: Denice (Jim) Glines of Vernal, Jackie of Salt Lake City and Billie Ann (Dustin) Christiansen of Price, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on March 22, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Ferron Stake Center. A viewing will be held at 1-1:45 p.m. prior to the services at the Stake Center. Interment will be in the Price City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guestbook and share memories of Reid at www.fausettmortuary.com.