Karl Eugene Austin, 66, of Clinton, Missouri passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, October 8, 2023. He was born November 30, 1956 in Butler, Mo., the son of Arnold Eugene Austin and Bonnie Rae (Deems) Austin.
He attended first grade at the Peru one room school, then attended Butler schools, graduating in 1975. He was employed as a machinist with Bendix Corporation, now Honeywell, for 40 years, retiring in 2018.
He married Connie Zoe Allen on November 24, 1978 in Clinton, Mo. She preceded him in death on September 2, 2012. He was a member of the Clinton Church of Christ for over 40 years.
Karl was a charter member of the Missouri Allis-Chalmers Club, and a member of the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association. He loved his Allis-Chalmers tractors and equipment. He was an avid collector of anything Allis-Chalmers, at one time taking 25 tractors to a tractor show in Adrian, Mo. He taught his grandson Lucas how to drive a standard transmission because Karl did not like the automatic transmissions. He and Lucas enjoyed going to and participating in various tractor pulls and tractor shows.
Surviving are one son, Anthony Eugene Austin (Michelle), Clinton, Mo.; one daughter, Kayla Dawn Harris, Sedalia, Mo.; one grandson, Lucas Nathaniel Austin; one granddaughter, Olivia Renee Austin; his mother, Bonnie Austin, Butler, Mo.; two brothers, Mark Austin (Ruth), Butler, Mo., and Joe Austin (Dawn), Butler, Mo.; one sister, Sue Swartz, Butler, Mo.; cousins, Tom Deems (Teresa), Butler, Mo., and Daniel Deems (Kelly) Blue Springs, Mo.; his special friend, Pam Hutson, Montrose, Mo.; sister-in-law, Sharon Pope (Cameron), Fairfax, Mo.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. He will lie in state from noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Double Branch Cemetery, Butler, Mo. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Double Branch Cemetery or the Clinton Church of Christ. These donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
