Ruel Herbert Austin, Sr.
October 1, 1928 ~ April 30, 2014
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Ruel Herbert Austin, Sr., 85, died peacefully at his home in Fletcher, NC on April 30, 2014. Ruel was born on October 1, 1928 to Elva Lance Austin Riddle and Claude C. Austin. He was raised and spent his formative years on the Biltmore Estate. Ruel married Jeanne Patton on October 5, 1947 and they spent 66 years together. They have three children, Rudy Austin and wife Diane; Claudia DuBose; and Jim Austin and wife Sandy. Their grandchildren are Sally Austin Hundley and husband Ron; Lori Austin Sutton and husband Bryan; Sam Austin Luster and wife Jennifer; and Aubrey Austin. Their great grandchildren are Sarah and Cub Hundley; Maggie and Lily Sutton; and Kaitlyn and Kendall Luster.
Ruel was a 75 year member and Deacon of Biltmore Baptist Church. He was formerly a leader of the Royal Ambassadors, leader of the Young People's department and loved using his bass voice as a member of the choir. He was a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour of the 32nd Degree Mason and 50 year member and Past Master of Biltmore Masonic Lodge #446. He was Past Patron of Biltmore Chapter #38 of which he was a 50 year member and also a member of the Land of the Sky Shrine Club.
Ruel retired from the Asheville Water Department in 1994. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and playing golf. He also enjoyed gardening and working in the yard.
The family especially appreciates the loving care provided by Becky, Michelle, Deb, and all the staff of CarePartners.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at 2 PM in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Interment will be at Calvary Churchyard following the service. The family will receive friends Friday, May 2nd from 7 to 9 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, Attention Kea Wade; or CarePartners Hospice Foundation, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, www.carepartnersfoundation.org.
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Dear Austin Family:
Mr. Ruel Austin was always such a special person to me as well as your entire family. I will never forget his laugh and big hugs! Remember his beautiful smile and the way he loved all of you!
Jeanne and family we have you all in our thoughts and prayers during this time. But to quote Ruel ‘everything’s gonna be alright’. He always kept telling us that. He now is in God’s hands and it can’t get any better. We love you and are praying for all.
Dear Rudy and family,
We send our thoughts and prayers to you during this time of loss. What a servant your father was and now he is with his Lord.
Ron and Audrey Morrow
Family, Jim and Sandy Austin,
My deepest and sincere sympathy at this difficult and sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you.
Jeanne and family,
Ruel was a fine, fine man. He was a good friend to my parents and to me. I will always remember his kindness and support. Webb’s and my thoughts are with you.
It has been a lot of years since we had seen each other but I remember a very good man in Ruel. I have been in Texas for more than 30 years but remember a very special person.
Dearest Jeanne, Rudy, Dianne and families,
I am so sorry that Ruel has moved to Heaven. Please know that I am praying for God’s Holy Spirit to comfort you all. I am so glad that I met Ruel and heard his wonderful bass voice in prayer. He was a blessing to all especially the sisters and brothers of the Eastern Star. May God bless you all now and in the future.
Aunt Jeanne and family, We have fond memories of Uncle Ruel and times spent with you. You all are in our prayers. Love, Sue, Valerie, Chip, Zach and TJ
What a loss for the community, for the church, for mason and for shriners.
Ruel was such a good,good,good man. He loved so much and was loved by so many. So many good memories. He will not be forgotten. We will miss his greeting us with that big smile and that deep bass voice.May God keep blessing this family that he loved so much and was so proud of.
Jim and Family,
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your father. I remember serving with him on the board of the Asheville-Buncombe Employees Credit Union. Our prayers are extended to you in this loss. May God bless you and your family.
Marvin and Jean Vierra
What a special man was Ruel. We did not know him but for only a few short years but he forever left an impression upon our hearts. What a special man and special wife, Jeanne. Heaven surely must be welcoming him and loving him as we all have loved him.
O’Neal & Pam McCall
Dear Austin family I am so sorry to learn of Ruel,s passing. He was a very fine gentleman. And I always thought very highly of him. Thinking and praying for you at this time for your loss. Very fondly Susan Dorato Fox