Austin Eugene Stroud
5/21/1937 - 6/7/2024
Austin Stroud, 87, passed away on June 7 at St. Luke's Health - Brazosport Hospital in Lake Jackson, Texas. He was born on May 21, 1937 in Heart, Arkansas in a wooden cabin, the son of O.C. and Edith Stroud. Austin was one of five siblings, all who have predeceased him.
When Austin was a young child, the family moved from Arkansas to East Texas. Austin graduated from Gaston High School located in Joinerville, Texas in 1955. Austin joined the U. S. Navy in September 1955. He served his country from 1955-1959. Austin was stationed in San Diego, California, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Newfoundland. He shared many interesting stories about his Navy days, one of which is that he decided to hitch hike from San Diego back to East Texas to see his family!
Austin was an athlete at Gaston High School. He played football and basketball. The one basketball game he was high-point man (21 points in 1Q) was not well attended because Elvis Presley (before he made it super big) was in town performing at the Gaston High School auditorium. All the locals, including Austin's girlfriend at the time, were at the concert. Only Austin's dad, O.C. Stroud, was in attendance at his game. That was a memory Austin's recalled time and time again. One of Austin's high school teachers recognized early that Austin was a natural born leader. In fact, at one point he told Austin, ''You were born to be a leader, but you are leading people in the wrong direction!'' Austin had a sense of humor like no other. One of the things the family loved about him most was his ability to to laugh and make others laugh. He was banned from the drive-in movie in Henderson, Texas when he was a teenager for some of his antics that included a few smoke bomb fire crackers dropped around vehicles as people were trying to enjoy the movie. Another sophomoric prank he and his buddies pulled was to let loose an old Billie goat which began to cause mayhem in the concession area. The owner of the drive-in got into a high-speed chase with Austin back into town and finally rammed his car into Austin's, causing him to stop. That's when his life ban began at the drive-in movie.
Austin began working at Dow-Badische on March 21, 1960. Austin cultivated several cherished friendships during his time at BASF. He made many fond memories with his work family. He was fortunate to maintain employment with BASF until September 30, 1994, when he began a wonderful life of retirement.
Austin married Faye Carter Stroud on May 4, 1991. They enjoyed the life of retirement on Toledo Bend in Shelbyville, Texas for many years. Austin and Faye split time living on the lake and in their cabin in Heart, Arkansas. Austin was an avid fisherman. He also enjoyed hunting in Arkansas with his family. He and Faye eventually moved back to Lake Jackson to be around family and friends in 2000. Austin and Faye attended Brazos Pointe Fellowship and were members of a remarkable Small Group that loved them well. After COVID, they weren't able to attend church regularly and Austin sure did miss hearing the sermons and shaking hands with all his friends.
Austin and Faye relocated from their lovely home in Lake Jackson to Carriage Inn for assisted living in June 2021. He was sad to move away from his neighbors, Mark and Rosa Abel, whom he counted as family. However, he found the people at Carriage Inn to be very gracious to him. He enjoyed bingo, the live music, and ice cream at Carriage Inn. The family is especially grateful to Sylvia, Liz, Olga, Sharon, Donna, Rebekah, and many others for their care.
Austin is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deloris Faye Stroud, his children Teresa Williams (Matt), Rodney Stroud; grandchildren Matthew Williams, Aubrey Berrio ((Austin), Michael Williams, Cami Stroud, Cade Stroud; and great grand-daughter Charlotte Berrio. He is also survived by Faye's children, Steve Carter (Daphne), Karen Carter (Gary Wiener); granddaughter Julie Wood (Christopher); great-grandchildren Margaret and Emerson Wood; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins he loved dearly.
A private family memorial and burial will take place at a later date at Burks Chapel in Camp, Arkansas.
The family asks that if you would like to make a contribution in memory of Austin, please do so at True to Live Ministries (TTLM), 105 This Way Street, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Both Austin and Faye enjoyed volunteering at TTLM helping with mailouts.
Obituary Provided By:
www.lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
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