Bobby Joe Austin

R. J. ""Bobby Joe"" Austin, 78, of Mont Belvieu, TX passed away Saturday, May 24, 2014, at his residence. He was born February 28, 1936, in Mont Belvieu to R. S. ""Buster"" Austin and Jewel Williams Austin and was a lifelong resident of Mont Belvieu. Mr. Austin was a retired CPA and former member of the Barbers Hill ISD School Board for many years. He honorably served in the U. S. Army. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Mont Belvieu.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Billie Sue Kemp Austin; father and mother; and stepfather, Roscoe T. Armstrong. He is survived by his children, Robert Austin, Jr. and wife Lisa of Baytown, Michael Austin of Mont Belvieu, and Kelli Austin of Mont Belvieu; grandchildren, Sean Smith and wife April, Charlotte Austin McDevitt and husband Michael, Lynzie Austin Johnson and husband Adam, Holly Smith Schmadl and husband Rob, Joseph Austin, Michael David Austin, Jr., and Robert Joseph Austin, III; great grandchildren, Elijah and Hayden Schmadl and Valerie and Brooklyn Smith; sister-in-law, Dorothy Ann Kemp; nieces, Sheri Epperson Camp and husband Bennie and Debbie Kemp Smith and husband Tommy; and nephew Dusty Kemp and wife Mary. As an only child, he considered his cousins to be his siblings. He is survived by his beloved first cousins, Marilyn Swint Clanahan and husband Jim, Lee Swint Reeves, Maxine Swint, Braxton Cooper and wife Dorothy, Suzanne Williams Cotney and husband Tom, Herbert Williams, Jr., Becky Linsenbardt, and John Verde; and many other relatives and friends. The family would like to extend its gratitude to friends and neighbors, Billy and Frankie Smith.

His family will receive friends Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Navarre Funeral Home beginning at 12:30 p.m. with a funeral to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jake Porter presiding. There will be no graveside service.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Joseph Austin, Michael Austin, Jr., Robert Austin, III, Sean Smith, and Michael McDevitt and friends T. R. Richardson and Ronnie Richardson. Honorary pallbearers will be P. T. Williams, Butch Joseph, Billy Smith, and Kenneth Troxell.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.