Clyde R. Austin, gifted singer
Clyde Robert Austin, 72, of Millsboro, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017. He was born May 25, 1944, in Buffalo, N.Y., son of the late Clyde Harris Austin and Dorothy Elnore Cripps Austin.
Mr. Austin proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Following his time in service he began a 35-year career as a financial analyst working for Fannie Mae. Following his retirement he then worked for six years as a contractor with the Intelligence Community in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
Mr. Austin was a baritone and loved singing Barbershop Harmony over the years with many organizations which included the Alexandria Harmonizers Chorus in Alexandria Va., and the Chorus of the Chesapeake in Baltimore, Md. He also sang competitively with many quartets such as Main Street, Copyright '86, and the Capitol Chord Authority. Mr. Austin also won many trophies as an autocross race driver and was a member of a pit crew for a stock car team.
In his spare time he enjoyed singing, playing guitar, boating, jet skiing, and an occasional round of golf. He also enjoyed attending the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles games with his son and daughter. For 15 years he and his wife sang together in the Covenant Trio, a southern Gospel Trio that shared their music ministry throughout the Mid-Atlantic area and in Nantes, France, on a short-term mission trip with Operation Mobilization.
Mr. Austin is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Bonnie Lou Austin of Millsboro; his son, George Harris Austin of Millsboro; his daughter, Cynthia Robin Austin of Laurel, Md.; and his sister, Fern Diane Austin of Danville, Va. Mr. Austin lived for the past 30 years in Laurel Md., before recently making the move to retire in Millsboro.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 and/or The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Information regarding memorial services, which will be held in the Baltimore/Washington area, are still pending. Visit Mr. Austin's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book for more information as the plans are finalized, www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
