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Glenn Austin promoted to Glory
Remembered as a “caring and compassionate leader and friend, a gracious and generous benefactor…a great financial manager…and a loving and caring father,” the life and ministry of Major Glenn Austin was celebrated August 28 during a memorial service at Aspen Ridge Retirement Center in Bend, Oregon.
On August 17, 2005, Glenn slipped peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from his apartment at the Aspen Ridge, where he was receiving care from his family and Hospice of Bend-La Pine.
Glenn was born in Hoquiam, Washington on July 21, 1921 to Salvation Army parents. He grew up in the West and upon graduation from Missoula High School, moved to Los Angeles, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accountancy from Woodbury University.
A WWII veteran, he served in the U. S. Coast Guard Band playing tuba. After the war he earned an additional degree in Business Management. Ten years later he entered The Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training from the Los Angeles Congress Hall Corps.
Commissioned in 1957 as a member of the Faithful Session, he was named the representative speaker. His corps appointments included San Jose, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Salem, Oregon. Glenn served in administrative roles in Seattle, Washington (divisional youth secretary, divisional secretary) the Hawaiian Islands (divisional commander) and at territorial headquarters in Rancho Palos Verdes, California (community relations secretary, Legal secretary.) The Austins retired in Sun City, Arizona in 1986.
In retirement he and his wife, Dolores, served as commanding officers of the Sun City, Arizona corps for eleven years. These were among the happiest of his career because he was able to do what he did best: preach, lead singing, balance the budget, and represent The Salvation Army in the community.
Throughout his life, Glen had a love for music. He was happy whether he was playing tuba in the Congress Hall Band, string bass with a combo, singing in a male quartet, or leading a congregation in one of his favorite hymns.
Major Austin is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Dolores, and their son, Glenn; his sister Kathleen and her husband, Ralph Rice; two of the three children from his first marriage, Mark Hepburn and Tina Tomakowski; and eight grandchildren.
Messages may be sent to Mrs. Major Dolores Austin and family at Aspen Ridge, 1010 NE Purcell Blvd., Apt. 205, Bend, OR 97701.