Thomas Kelly Austin

May 22, 1933-Jan. 3, 2022

Posted

Thomas Kelly Austin, better known as Kelly, 89, of Sparta, passed away Jan. 3, 2023, at Beverly Park Place Health and Rehab.

Kelly was born May 22, 1933, in Sparta, to Judge Edgar David Austin and Josephine Davis Austin.

He had a long career in the paving industry, from working in road construction to owning his own asphalt sealing and striping business. He loved working and had worked a few small sealing jobs as late as the summer of 2022. He also enjoyed working with the Boy Scouts and had helped several Scouts achieve their goal of Eagle Scout.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nine siblings.

 Surviving family members include his two daughters and their spouses, Abbie and Roger Teeple, of Morganton, North Caroline, GiGi and Tim Taylor, of Knoxville; son, T.K. Austin and wife Brenda, of Sparta; grandchildren, Josh Teeple and wife Taylor, J.T. Taylor, Eric Taylor, Lindsey Austin Vaughn and husband Trevor, Thomas Austin; four great-grandchildren; mother of his children, Nancy Sterling Austin; special friend, Mabel Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Jan. 7, 2023, at Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Highland Cemetery. Doug Benningfield will officiate. The family will receive friends 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 7, at the funeral home.

J.T. Taylor, Tim Taylor, Eric Taylor, Josh Teeple, Roger Teeple, and Jeff Hutson will serve as pallbearers.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Boy Scouts of America Middle TN Council, 3414 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37215 or www.mtcbsa.org

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.