Christopher Dean Austin

The kindest man in the world died of natural causes Saturday, December 14, and we will be lost without him. Christopher Dean Austin was born on December 1, 1959, to his loving parents, Bette and Wayne Austin. He grew up in Texas and always called Houston home even though he lived in Baton Rouge for most of his life. He married Kim Perry 38 years ago and she was the love of his life. Kim always says that he was the kind of man who “wore his soul on the outside.”

Chris enjoyed all kinds of music, especially listening to his son Christopher play the Blues. Their shared passion for music created a special bond between father and son, and watching Christopher perform was one of his fondest memories. He was so proud of Christopher.

Chris was a committed athlete and competitor who enjoyed biking, swimming, boxing, and running. An ardent baseball fan, he loved watching the Astros win or lose. Playing challenging tennis (He was a 4.0 player) with his friends was something that he truly loved.

Wise and intelligent, he was always learning and evolving. Chris had a knack for understanding the world and could always come up with the best analogies to explain it. He was passionate about politics and a student of history and philosophy. He was fluent in Spanish because he once worked with people who couldn’t speak English. He hated bigots and fascists, but he loved good books, cool movies, a fast motorcycle ride through the Ozarks, and going out to breakfast.

      Chris was a “people person” with a great sense of humor and storytelling skills which often made him the center of attention where his sense of fun became infectious. This compassionate and empathetic man always “treated others the way he would want to be treated,” seeking justice for everyone. He was a faithful friend, mentor, and sibling who always strove to do the right thing and to be a good man.

      A devoted husband and father to his son, Christopher; his stepdaughter, Honor; and his grandson, Lennon, Chris was a dedicated caretaker, always working unselfishly for his family. He was beloved by his brothers, Tim and Kurt Austin; his sister, Georgann Mire; and their spouses and children. His cherished companions were his dogs.

      In lieu of a funeral, Chris requested a quiet send-off at a favorite spot in his favorite town, Austin, Texas. If you were lucky enough to know and love Chris, please write a favorite memory of Chris for his family and post it at www.Rabenhorst.com