George Belden Austin, Jr., 85, of Panama City, FL died at home on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. Mr. Austin was the son of the late George B. Austin, Sr. and the late Mary Isabel Parks Austin of Mobile, AL. He was born on July 24, 1923 in Guatemala, where his father worked in Puerto Barrios as Port Manager for the United Fruit Company. He was also pre-deceased by a brother, Harry Ogilvey Austin and an infant son, George B. Austin, III.
Mr. Austin is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sarah Ann Watts Austin. He is also survived by his sons and daughters, Peter W. Austin and wife, Judy, Michael W. Austin, Stephanie A. Humphreys and husband, Steve, Patricia A. Peacock and husband, David. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great grandchild, Matthew Austin, Lindsay Austin, Joshua Austin, Ross Humphreys and wife, Carley, Allison Humphreys Haligas and husband, Darren, Jacob Peacock, Jonathan Peacock, Tiffany Peacock Burdess and Brianna Burdess.
Mr. Austin was a decorated World War II veteran, serving his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-17 and B-24 bomber pilot. He flew 35 missions with the Mighty Eighth Air Force in the European Theater. He was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal (four Oak Leaf Clusters) and The European Theater of Operations Medal with Three Battle Stars. Mr. Austin retired from the USAF Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Mr. Austin graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN and from Texas A&M University with a Master of Science degree in Physical Oceanography. In 1955 he accepted a position at the Navy Base as a Physical Oceanographer and made Panama City his home. He retired from the Naval Coastal Systems Center after thirty years of service.
Mr. Austin was active in the local community. He was a member of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church for 52 years where he faithfully served as Lay Reader/Chalice Bearer, as well as in many other capacities. He was a long time member and past president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and was a past District Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis. He was the charter president of the Panama City Scientific Society, a member of the Philosophical Society and St. Andrew Bay Power Squadron. Mr. Austin was an avid recreational pilot, logging many blissful hours in the air.
A memorial service for Mr. Austin will be held at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 222 N. Bonita Ave., on Sunday Oct. 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with The Reverend Steve Bates officiating and The Reverend William Bell and The Reverend Tom Weller assisting. A reception will be held immediately following the service in Battin Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Nativity Episcopal Church or School or to Hospice of The Emerald Coast.

"Well done thou good and faithful servant." Soar with the eagles, "Pedro"!