James Reynolds Austin

James Reynolds Austin passed

away peacefully in his California

home on Sunday, February 21

at the age of 64, following a

courageous 6-month battle with

cancer. He was a wonderful

son, loving husband, supportive

father to three girls, creative

engineer, successful entrepreneur and a generous,

caring friend.

Jim grew up in La Crescenta, CA and attended

Crescenta Valley High School where he excelled both

academically and athletically. He was the first member

of his family to graduate from college, earning a

Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of

California at Berkeley. Jim worked as a mechanical

engineer for a number of major corporations and

ultimately exhibited his entrepreneurial spirit by

founding his own general contracting business, J.R.

Austin, Inc., specializing in new home and restaurant

construction and remodeling. Numerous popular

and successful restaurants throughout California and

the West are a living legacy to his building expertise,

dedication, and passion for the business.

Jim lived life to the fullest, enjoying many hobbies.

His life-long love of cars propelled him into off-road

racing, classic car restoration, and savoring long rides

in his cherished Corvettes. He also enjoyed boating,

the ocean, and spending time with family and friends.

He lived life with optimism, courage, compassion, and

love. He will be dearly missed.

Jim is survived by his mother, Cleo; wife Michelle;

and three daughters, Jennifer, Jaclyn, and Jillian.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March

20 at 1:00 pm at Harbor Light Church, 1734 Orange

Avenue in Costa Mesa.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation

in Jim’s honor be made to one of his favorite charities:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Queen of

Hearts Foundation in the memorial fund for Melanie

Poland (www.qohfoundation.org), or a charity of your

choice.