Jeff was born on December 29, 1958, to Mack Austin and the late Nancy Reed Austin. Jeff’s family moved from Bluefield, West Virginia to Charlotte when he was three. Jeff graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1977 and from the College of Architecture at the University of North Carolina- Charlotte in 1981. Friends from childhood, Jeff and Jessica Sidey were married on July 31, 1982. Jeff began his professional career with J. N. Pease Associates and retired from Wells Fargo Bank in 2017 having worked on numerous real estate projects with a succession of banks through the years of mergers and acquisitions.
Jeff was a thought leader and champion for sustainable building practices long before it was trendy. He challenged his colleagues to think broadly, to consider new ideas fully and to be creative in solving problems. Jeff was awarded the US Green Building Council’s Community Impact Award in 2022 in recognition of his decades of advocacy and leadership.
Jeff’s true gifts were in building relationships with friends and colleagues, believing that “questions are more vital than the answers, and the ensuing conversations are more valuable than the self-created diatribes.” He was true to his many friends, fully present and engaged. It didn’t matter if you talked with Jeff every week, or after weeks had passed- when you connected with Jeff, he was all in.
Jeff’s servant heart was big enough to embrace so many friends. At First United Methodist Church, Jeff and Jessica were active participants in the Muffin Ministry with unhoused neighbors. Jeff made many friends there, especially Paul and Adam. For the past six years, Jeff was a vital member of the church’s 2nd Century Project Steering Committee, serving as project manager and process-thinking champion.
Jeff lived with the courage of his convictions, professionally, socially, and most importantly living his faith in Christ in thought, word, and deed.
Jeff is survived by his father, Mack, by Jessica Austin his much-loved wife of 41 years, by his sister Jann Austin, sister-in-law Miriam (Ben) Glardon and brother-in-law Whitson (Mary) Sidey, by nieces Kirstie Sidey, Leanza Sidey, Marlyssa Sidey and Madison Glardon and by nephews Michael (Laurie) Cunningham and Whitson Sidey, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church- Charlotte at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 13. Free parking will be available in the garage next door at 163 West 9th Street. Please bring your parking ticket for validation at the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Jeff’s memory can be made to
Muffin Ministry at First United Methodist Church- Charlotte
501 North Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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