Jimmie Austin

Jimmie Austin passed from this life Friday, August 3, 2007 at the age of 90. He was born May 22, 1917 in Sasakwa, Oklahoma to A.L. and Zadie Austin.rnrnHe married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Marie Pruitt, on December 29, 1937, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on July 12, 2004.rnrnAt the age of twelve Jimmie got a job driving a team of mules in the oilfields. After high school he started work in the oilfields, working for J.B. Barnes Drilling Company, D.B. Malemee Oil Comapany, and Viersen and Cochran Company. At the age of 34, Jimmie bought his first drilling rig and began Austin-Dunham Drilling Company. In 1953 he formed the Austin Drilling Company and in 1958 he along with his sons started Austin & Sons Drilling Company. During his thirty-one years in the drilling business, he drilled over 1400 wells. In November 1981 he sold all his drilling rigs and began increasing his volume of activity with working interests in oil and gas wells. He formed Austin Equipment Sales Company and began buying oilfield equipment including components for drilling rigs. In 1990 he sold all of the oilfield equipment and began concentrating on his investments and cattle company. Jimmie sold the cattle business in 2001. He was the president of Austin Management Corporation, Austin Drilling Inc., and Austin Production Company.rnrnJimmie was an active participant and supporter of golf. In 1975 he helped the City of Seminole expand the town's nine-hole course into an exceptional 18-hole venue, which he operated for many years. In keeping with his love for golf, Jimmie was a major contributor to the renovation of the University of Oklahoma Golf course, and the course is named in his honor. A grandfather of four and great-grandfather of seven, Mr. Austin had a special interest in youth activities, especially youth golf.rnrnAs a civic leader for Seminole and for the state of Oklahoma, he served on numerous Seminole city commissions, also as a member of the Oklahoma Turnpike Commission and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. He worked diligently with the Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole Industrial Authority to recruit industry to the area. He was appointed as Commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in 1987, and continued as Commissioner until 2003. He was the founder of the Seminole Golf Foundation, Inc., and member of the Seminole Municipal Airport Board. He was the former director of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Drilling Contractors, American Petroleum Institute, and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. He was a former member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Seminole Water Authority board. In recognition of his professional and civic achievements, he was honored many times, including induction into the Seminole State College Hall of Fame for his contributions to civic and youth programs, selected as "Man of the Month" by the Oklahoma Petroleum Club, and "Citizen of the Year" by Seminole Chamber of Commerce. Jimmie and Marie were significant supporters of the Seminole Hospital.rnrnJimmie supported all areas of education with an emphasis on higher education. Together with his wife, Marie, they endowed a Biblical Research Center and established the Jimmie and Marie Austin Scholarship Fund at Oklahoma Baptist University. They also established the Jimmie and Marie Austin Scholarship Fund at Seminole State College and actively supported many other programs of the college.rnrnJimmie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Seminole, Oklahoma.rnrnJimmie is survived by his two sons and their wives, Paul D. and Jane Austin, and Jimmie Lynn and Billye Austin all of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.rnrnHe is also survived by his four grandchildren and their spouses, Guy and Julie Austin of Norman, Oklahoma; Christy and Steve Barnes of Douglas, Oklahoma; John and Susan Austin of Norman, Oklahoma; Mark and Jennifer Austin of Norman, Oklahoma.rnrnSeven great-grandchildren also survive him, Alexandria Marie Austin and Cameron Cole Austin of Norman, Oklahoma; Shea Lynn Barnes of Douglas, Oklahoma; Coner Elizabeth Austin, Hunter Douglas Austin, Parker Amis Austin and Carter Reed Austin all of Norman, Oklahoma.rnrnJimmie is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.rnrnFuneral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma. Rev. Russell Vicars and Pastor Tommy Clark will officiate the service.rnrnServices are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home - Seminole, Oklahoma.rnrnThe family has designated the following as appropriate for memorial donations.rnrnJimmie and Marie Austin Scholarship fund at Seminole State College, P.O. Box 351, Seminole, Oklahoma 74818-0351 (Phone 405-382-9200)rnrnJimmie and Marie Austin Scholarship fund at Oklahoma Baptist University c/o Development Office, 500 W. University, OBU Box 61275, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804 (Phone 405-878-2020)rnrnThe University of Oklahoma Foundation for the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course Endowment Fund, 1000 Asp Avenue Room 216, Norman, Oklahoma 73019 (Phone 405-325-0311).rn Funeral Information: August 6, 2007, 2:00 AM