Family-Placed Obituary

JAMES EASTERLY AUSTIN "Jim" James "Jim" Easterly Austin, 60, of Jupiter, FL died suddenly as the result of a fall on February 9, 2010. He will be remembered for his colorful life and interesting stories about his work, travel and adventures around the world. Mr. Austin was a professional diver and underwater welder for the last 35 years. He enjoyed working in his yard and raising exotic bamboos as a hobby. Mr. Austin was born in Greeneville, TN on June 30, 1949 and moved to North Palm Beach, FL with his family in 1963. He graduated from Riviera Beach High School in 1967 and went on to the University of Tennessee 1967-1971 where he studied business. He attended the University of Florida 1971-1973 where he studied horticulture and developed his love for growing plants. "All honor to his name", Mr. Austin was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Beta Sigma Chapter. Before he began his diving career, he worked for the family tobacco business in Brazil and learned to speak fluent Portuguese. His parents, Anne Easterly Austin and Frank Smith Austin both of Greeneville TN, preceded Mr. Austin in death. Two sisters, Frances Susan Austin Hopkins and husband, Steve Hopkins of Port Charlotte, FL and Lillian Anne Austin Clinard and husband, John Clinard of Tellico Village, TN survive him. He is also survived by two nieces, Christian Anne Clinard Natale and husband, Nick Natale of Knoxville TN and Melody Anne Hopkins of Naples FL; a nephew, Joseph William Hopkins of Atlanta, GA and great-niece, Taylor Natale of Knoxville, TN. A celebration of Jim's life will be on June 19 in Jupiter, FL followed by the placement of his ashes in an artificial reef off the coast. Specific details are incomplete and will be announced at a later date. Donations in memory of Jim Austin, an advocate for diver safety, can be made to the auxiliary fund for the Hyperbaric Center at the St. Mary's Medical Center 901 45th Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or the Hyperbaric Chamber at the Holmes Regional Medical Center, 1350 S. Hickory, Melbourne, FL 32901 To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries