James L. Austin

James L. Austin, age 80, died early Thursday morning, July 14, 2011 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born September 14, 1930 in Niagara Falls, NY to James Adelbert Austin and Alice Mary DeLong Austin. He graduated from the University of South Carolina on an ROTC scholarship with a degree in Military Science. He retired as a captain after serving in the Marine Corps for 3 years, including active service on the USS New Jersey during the Korean War. After separation from the Marine Corps, he trained as a physical therapist through a program at Duke University. In 1960 he moved his family to Winston-Salem. He joined the staff of the Children's Center for the Physically Handicapped, then became head of the Physical Therapy Department at Baptist Hospital before starting his own practice, which eventually became Austin-Caputo Physical Therapy Services. He served as president of the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association for several terms. An active member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, he served the community through the Vestry, the Lay Eucharistic Ministry, and Outreach Services. He enjoyed recreational sports as both a player and a coach. A well-loved actor on the stage for the Little Theater of Winston-Salem, Theater Alliance, and the Off and On Theater Company, he also performed regionally and in films. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Ann Kenny Austin; son, Tim; son Michael and wife, Becky; daughter Deborah Tyrrell and husband, Bruce; grandsons Benjamin and Gabriel Tyrrell; sister Barbara Austin of Columbia, SC; sister Carol Blodgett of Nashua, NH; nieces Stephanie Blodgett of West Milford, NJ, Jami Bascomb of Greenfield, NH, Stacey Ferraro of Kinnelon, NJ; and nephew Steven Blodgett of Nashua, NH. He was preceded in death by his sister Sharon Austin of Columbia, SC. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, July 21, 2011 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends in the church's Drake Hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crisis Control Ministry, 200 E. 10th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, 3655 Reed Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107. Special thanks to Dr. Dilley, the doctors and nurses at Forsyth Medical Center, and the staff of Heritage Woods. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crisis Control Ministry, 200 E. 10th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, 3655 Reed Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107

Visitation:
Following the service in Drake Hall at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church

Service:
2:00PM on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church 2575 Parkway Drive Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103 {14265}

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