Dennis Austin

There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate of life of Dennis Austin at 11:30 a.m. September 11, 2010 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas Frey officiating. Dennis Austin age 74, passed away August 22, 2010 at Campbell County Close to Home Hospice House following a battle with cancer. Dennis Bruce Austin was born May 20, 1936 to Leslie and Edna (Parker) Austin Sr. in Bowman, North Dakota. He was raised on a cattle and sheep ranch near Amidon, ND and attended school in Marmarth, ND. He met Sharon Rickels his wife of forty-one years, at a dance in 1964 and they were married November 9, 1968. He was employed in the oil field in Belfield, ND and the oil pipeline in Plentywood, MT prior to being transferred to Gillette, WY by Brown and Root Construction in 1972. He drove truck for 33 years for various companies including Exeter Drilling, Davis Oil, Admiral Construction, Jims Water Service, Cundy Construction and ICM Construction until he semi-retired to start his own pilot car service which he operated until he retired due to his health. He was a member of the Elks, Moose, Eagles and the American Legion. He enjoyed eating out and dancing, the last time he danced was at their youngest daughters wedding reception at the American Legion in 2004. He liked to hunt especially with his sons and older grandsons and going fishing and camping with his daughters and grandchildren as well as all his family and friends. He also enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking especially his BBQ on holidays and birthdays. He was always working on his pilot cars, in his shop, or on their home. Dennis is survived by his wife Sharon of Gillette, WY; sons, Myles (Karen) Austin of Rock Springs, WY; Lyle (Marlys) Austin of Gillette, WY; Perry (Ruth) Austin, of Abilene, TX; daughters, Maxine (Todd) Lucas of Cheyenne, WY; Desiree (Ron) Parsons of Buffalo, WY; Monique Austin-Reynolds (Tyson) of Gillette, WY; brother, Bill (Betty) Austin of Mesquite, NV; sister, Janice Speiser of Billings, MT; fifteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Leslie Jr, Max, James, Stanley, Dode, Winfield, Lowell and Carol. A special thank you to all his friends and family, as well as Pastor Tom Frey of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. All the staff at Campbell County Memorial Hospital, Dr. McMahill and staff, Daniel and all the girls at the Close to Home House, thank you for all the love, prayers and caring hearts given to Dennis these past two years. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Hospice of Campbell County Memorial Hospital. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of the Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the internet at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com