Thomas “Tom” Ray Austin, Sr., 83, of Ruffin went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Tom will be laid to rest at his beloved family farm, where a private family service will be held at a later date.
Thomas Ray was born in Rockingham County to the late DeWitt and LouEtta Austin. Before entering into full time farming, Tom worked for Electric Supply of Greensboro. He loved being a Tobacco farmer and enjoyed working the family farm with his son, Tommy. Tom will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his devoted canine companion, Tucker, their Chocolate Lab.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Austin and his sister, Dorothy A. Ballard.
Tom is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice Starr Austin; children, Tammy Austin Gregory and husband, Jerry and Thomas “Tommy” Ray Austin Jr. and wife, Penny; grandchildren, Niki Hodges Torres and husband, Stephen, Ashley Conger and husband, Lewis, and Carrington Austin; great-grandchildren, Austin and Walker Conger and Thea Torres; beloved caretaker, Audrey Wilson; special friend, Drew Chilton, as well as a large and loving group of extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s honor to Rockingham County Humane Society at 205 Boone Road Eden, NC 27288.
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