Alvan Turner Austin

Alvan Turner Austin was born February 17, 1939 in Seattle, Washington and passed away December 2, 2013 at his home in Puyallup. He was a graduate of West Seattle High School and upon graduation he joined the Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer after 24 years of service. The later half of his Navy career was spent in the Naval Reserve so he could work full-time as a Machinist for The Boeing Company, retiring from there after 42 years. He married his wife, Elaine Knight-Baumgras June 17, 1995 in Puyallup, Wa.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, auctions, camping, traveling, and farm engine shows. His hobby was collecting and restoring antique blow torches. He was a member of the Naval Reserve Assoc., USS Ranger Asso, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Blow Torch Collectors Assoc, and Antique Farm Engine & Tractor Asso. He was very active in church functions, attending Epworth LeSourd UMC in Tacoma for over 20 years and more recently Senior Church in Eatonville. Al was known for his jokes, storytelling and generosity. He loved sharing his "treasures" with family and friends and as a result inherited the nickname Low Profit Al. He was loved by all who knew him.

Al is survived by his wife Elaine (Knight), daughters Brenda (Scott) Davis of Federal Way, Lori Culbert of Federal Way, son Steven Austin of Puyallup; step-daughters Bernita McDowell of Puyallup, Kimberle (Jeff) Reopelle of Tacoma, Christina Baumgras of Auburn; brothers Harold Austin of Marion, Ohio; Robert Austin of Seattle, sister Maryann (David) Spies of E. Wenatchee and brother-in-law Darrol Barton of Kent; 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. . He was proceeded in death by sister Karen Barton, grandson Jonathan Rodrigues, son-in-law Douglan K.B. Goldberg, Parents Harold and Marie Austin and father-in-law Kenneth Knight.

Services will be held Monday, December 16th at Price-Helton Funeral Home, 702 Auburn Ave. N., Auburn, Washington at 11:30 am with internment at Tahoma National Cemetery immediately after the service.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Evergreen Chapter ALS Association – webwa.alsa.org or 19115 68th Ave. S. #H-105, Kent, WA. 98032