Joseph Austin, Iii

Joseph Bruffey Austin III of Georgetown, TX passed away on June 19, 2020 at the age of 80.

Joe was born Dec 21, 1939 in Roanoke, VA to Joseph Bruffey Austin Jr and Mildred Louise Mansfield Austin. His father, Joseph Jr, was an electronics engineer in the federal Civil Service, his work taking the family to live in places like the Territory of Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa and Newfoundland, as well as several states.

Joe's love of flying began with sailplanes, then progressed to small planes. One joy was flying his own plane. He also loved sailing the sailboat he owned first, then he moved on to a converted trawler. Both boats brought many hours of pleasure when combined with his avid love of fishing.

Joe served the Anchorage Alaska Police Department from Jan 1, 1978 until he retired on Dec 30, 1994, first as a patrol officer, then as a detective. After his retirement, he began a new career as a private investigator. He laughingly said he worked first for the prosecution, then the defense. That second career took him all over Alaska, meeting many Alaskans and seeing a great deal of the state. He especially enjoyed visiting the small villages such as Kotzebue.

After retiring from his PI career, Joe moved briefly to Port Orchard, Washington, before moving to Sun City, Texas to live closer to his sister and her family. He was pleased to find old friends from the Alaska police community living in Sun City. One of those friends, Dick Mills, was a fantastic help to Joe in his last years.

Joe is survived by Kaye S. Austin; sister, Patricia A. Rogers and nephew and nieces Timothy Rogers, Janice Dale and Lynn Rogers Silvestri; daughter, Jodi Gongora and grandchildren, Cody and Kyla Gongora; son, Joseph B. Austin IV; former daughter-in-law, Margot Newman and granddaughters, Sarah, Rachel and Emily Austin; plus many cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers William Sanford Austin and Michael John Austin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852