Charles Junior Austin

Another old soldier has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior after losing his final battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer.Charles Junior Austin, 87, passed away on May 3, 2012, at the West Virginia Masonic Home in Parkersburg, W.Va. He was born January 17, 1925, in Philippi, W.Va., a son of the late George Austin Jr. and Marjorie J. Rowan Austin. Charles graduated from East Fairmont High School, Fairmont, W.Va., with the class of 1943. He was a World War II Army Veteran, 110thMed BTN, 35thInfantry unit from 1943-1945, European Theatre, attached to Gen. George Patton's 3rdArmy.He was a combat medic, earning five battle stars for service in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes.He was awarded the Bronze Star, EAME Theater Ribbon with five Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Combat Medics Badge, medal of the French Jubilee of Liberty from people of Normandy from President Rene' Garrec,diploma for liberation of France from Consul General of France and was a life member of the 35thInfantry Association. He was discharged in 1945 and married his high school sweetheart, Dora Virginia “Carol” Kickel on Sept. 30, 1945.Charles was a lifetime member of Baptist Temple in Fairmont where he was baptized as a teenager before entering the Army. He was a member of the Gateway Apostolic Church in Parkersburg. Charles graduated from American Accounting Academy. He was formerly a Senior Accountant for CPA Firm in Charlotte, N.C. and accountant/office manager with G. A. Brown & Son Contracting Co. in Fairmont.He retired from the family operated Accounting and Tax Service in Parkersburg.He was a 50 year member of Mt. Olivet Masonic Lodge #3, a life member of the 32ndDegree Scottish Rite, life member of York Rite Jerusalem #3, Royal Arch Mason, life member of Calvary Commandery #3, life member of Nemesis Shrine Temple, life member of Ben Bey Grotto, Parkersburg, American Legion Post 15 and life member VFW Post #5108 in Marietta, Ohio.In his youth Charles was a Boy Scout. He encouraged his son in scouting and was Pack Leader in the Cub Scouts and was Troop Master working with his son through degrees up to Eagle Scout.He gave tirelessly of his time and used his family vacation time to attend Scout camp each summer. Charles is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol Austin; one son, Larry L. (Dianne) Austin, of Portland, Ore.; sister, Thelma J. Lamb of Parkersburg; and a special niece, Ruth Singer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 2333 Pike St. Parkersburg, W.Va. with Pastor Ray Seebaugh officiating with Masonic rites. Full military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 15, Parkersburg.Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.