Charles Austin

Charles Lee Austin, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Friday, December 14, 2012 at Via Christi Village. He was 84 years of age.

Charles was born March 10, 1928 four miles south of Ponca City, the son of Harold Austin and Bertha Revell Austin. He was raised by Walt Lyons and his mother Bertha. He attended Grainola grade school and was a graduate of Ponca City High School. He was married to Mamie M. Marlar on August 20, 1949 in Perry, Oklahoma. Charles entered the United States Army on May 20, 1953 and was stationed at Fort Ord, California in Military Police service. He was honorably discharged on May 19, 1955. He married Emma Louise Johnson Lee on September 4, 1970 in Ponca City.

Charles was employed as a painter and wall paper hanger for many years, having lived near Joplin, Missouri and at Mesquite, Texas before returning to Ponca City in 1994. He had been employed with Avery Painting of Ponca City.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Ponca City for many years, the First Lutherans Mens Bible Study Group and the Painters Union. His enjoyments were his work as a painter, reading, and in earlier years salt water and fresh water fishing, and gardening.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Ailey and husband, Dennis, of Ponca City one stepdaughter, Barbara Eaton of Ponca City two stepsons, Dennis Ray Lee and wife, Linda, of Ponca City, and Robert Kent Lee and wife, Velma, of Neosho, Missouri 11 grandchildren 19 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents his two wives one daughter, Kimberly Shawn Austin and one soninlaw, Bill Eaton.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church, Ponca City, with Pastor Jeremy May and former Pastor, Tom Ramsey, presiding. Burial will follow in the Ponca City I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Tanner Lee, Dalton Lee, Aaron Lee, Cory Lee, Stephen Ailey and Eric Ailey. Honorary casket bearers will be members of the First Lutherans Mens Bible Study Group.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutherans Mens Bible Study Group, in care of First Lutheran Church, 1104 North 4th Street, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.