Gerald Grant Austin

Gerald (Jerry) Grant Austin passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born July 9th, 1937 in Hollywood, California, the only son of George Arnold and Nella Barr Austin, the family soon moved back to Kansas City, Kansas. In 1940, the family moved to Osawatomie, Kansas, where he attended all 12 years of school. In high school, he was class president for the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. He served as the president of KAYS his senior year and was the Grand Master of the local chapter of Demolays. After graduation, he received a scholarship to the University of Kansas at Lawrence. It was there he met the love of his life, Olive Elisabeth Kees. They were married two years later on June 7th, 1958 in St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1959, Jerry joined The Fleming Company in Topeka, Kansas, where he worked for 37 years. He started as a trainee and went on to become the Director of Personnel. He was appointed President of the Oklahoma City division in 1975. In 1982, he was named President of the Eastern Region of Fleming, a troubled operation; however, under Jerry's leadership it was soon turned around and became profitable. In 1985, he and his family returned to Oklahoma City where he was named Executive Vice President to the corporation. In 1989, he was asked to take charge of the Western operations consisting of eight large distribution centers which were in trouble. This operation also turned around and, in 1992, Jerry and his wife returned to Oklahoma City where he was named Executive Vice President of Operations for the company. He retired in 1996. Jerry was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church beginning in 1983. He served in several positions, including Chairman of the Board. He was active in a number of fundraisers for projects of the church. He was also active on the first major fundraising committee for Legal Services of Oklahoma. Jerry volunteered at the Omniplex, now the Oklahoma Science Museum, and served as its President for 5 years. During his tenure, the Omnidome was built; the first large screen theater in Oklahoma City. He was also a member of the Fortune Club. Jerry is survived by his wife of sixty years, Olive. They have two children, Paul W. Austin and Kathy Austin Pendarvis, both attorneys in Oklahoma, and one grandchild, Austin Pendarvis. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Austin Holloman of Cincinnati, Ohio.