Ricky Lee Austin

Ricky Lee Austin, age 66, of Chapel Hill, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021 after a short illness.

Mr. Austin was born in Siler City and raised in Rockingham. He served as a radar technician in the US Navy for four years. After being discharged from the Navy, he got a job at Lockheed Space and Missile Corporation. He later married Lu and had two children while living in CA. In 1986, he moved his family back to NC to start a computer programming business. He was very proficient in his field of work. 

When raising his two children, he spent time making sure they were entertained and that they learned the value of working hard. He built them a first class treehouse complete with a tire swing and a basketball court. Mr. Austin is remembered for being a hard working man who always looked for ways to stay challenged and busy. He enjoyed playing golf and he played as often as possible. 

After retiring, he and Lu purchased property in VA where they thoroughly enjoyed clearing the land making four wheeling trails for his grandkids. Before his unexpected passing, he had just finished clearing a place to build house.

Ricky was preceded in death by his father Clarence Austin, his younger brother Bill Austin and his mother Betty Brewington. He is survived by his wife Luana, his brother David Austin and wife Ann, his son Ricky Lee Austin II and wife Staci, daughter Jamie Zhang and husband Samuel, and his five grandchildren RyLee, Lillie, Joshua, Azariah and Corina. 

Memorial services will be held at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Chapel Hill on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 1pm. 

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Austin family.