John Edward Austin, age 74, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by family, answering the Lord’s call and leaving this world wrapped in love and remembrance. He was a devoted father to one son and two daughters, whom he shared with his wife, Andrea Rose Holyoak. They lived together in his family home located in Midlothian, Texas, where his wife Andrea Holyoak and his three youngest children—Ambrose John Austin (21), Jorja Elizabeth Austin (19), and Carma Lydia Austin (15)—live today.

His children were among the greatest joys of his life, and his love for them was steady, enduring, and unconditional. Those who knew John will remember him for his presence, his character, and the way he lived his life with purpose and grace. Though he has gone home, his legacy lives on through his children and all who were blessed to know him: (oldest to youngest) Shanan Michelle Austin (52), David John Austin, Dixie Rose Austin (34), Merry Grace Austin (33), Ambrose John Austin (21), Jorja Elizabeth Austin (19), and Carma Lydia Austin (15).

John was born on September 24, 1951, in Gadsden, Alabama, to Grace Pate Austin and Ambrose Ervin Austin. From the very beginning, his life was rooted in family, faith, and the quiet strength that defined him throughout his years. In his early life, John attended General Forest Junior High School in Gadsden, Alabama, and later Emma Samson High School in Gadsden, Alabama. While attending school, John worked not only to help support his mom and dad, but also to serve his loving community.

One of John’s earliest traits that hinted at the man he would become was his paper route. Even at a young age, it set into motion the strong work ethic and integrity that defined his life. John was so sincere and compassionate that he would personally bring the paper to the doors of those who were sick or unwell, ensuring they were cared for in even the smallest ways. Following his paper route years, John and his family devoted themselves to caring for High Street Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama. Through these early familial bonds and acts of service, John’s enduring love for the Lord was formed.

He was a devoted non-denominational Christian who walked daily with the presence of God, living his faith not just in words, but through his actions. John was given a challenging life, but through his teachings of the Lord and his sincerest adoration, he devoted himself to serving God for those he loved and for those who were willing to listen. This included his family, but most importantly to John was talking with and instilling scripture into his children.

John’s hobbies reflected his energetic and impassioned spirit—he was always learning, creating, or trying something new. He found joy in writing music with friends and in putting his deepest thoughts into heartfelt poems. A lifelong sports enthusiast, John was a devoted fan of Alabama college football and never missed the Iron Bowl, a tradition he cherished year after year.

Two of the greatest passions of John’s life were martial arts and art. Martial arts were more than a hobby to him—they were a discipline that shaped his character, teaching focus, respect, and perseverance. He carried those principles into every part of his life. Art, in all its forms, was another lifelong love. From autobody work to drawing and painting, John appreciated the beauty of creating with his hands. He especially loved watching his children make art, believing that you could learn so much about a person through what they create. To John, art was a reflection of the soul.

John gave his life to his work, not for recognition or praise, but because providing, building, and doing things the right way mattered to him. Autobody repair was more than a career—it was a legacy. He learned the trade at the side of his father, Ambrose, in Gadsden, Alabama, where patience, precision, and pride were taught not with words, but by example. What his father passed down through his hands, John carried forward for the rest of his life.

He later took that skill and courage to Dallas, where he opened an autobody shop with a close friend, pouring everything he had into honest work and long days. John was a perfectionist, not because he chased flawlessness, but because he believed people deserved the very best of him. He worked until his body could no longer keep pace with his heart, ultimately stepping away from the trade he loved following his first stroke in Arizona—a loss that was deeply felt by John, as work was one of the ways he showed love to the world.

Those who worked beside him never forgot him. Tom Rompel described John as a man of rare integrity, someone whose credibility alone could bring people through the door. Though his passion was in the shop, his character earned him a place in the office and on the Manhood team as well. John never claimed to be a salesman, but people trusted him instinctively—because his word was honest. He once described himself simply as being “damn good” at what he did, and those who knew him knew it was true. When John came to work, he came to work—not to play, not to cut corners, but to give his best.

One of his former bosses from more than 25 years ago remembered John as one of the hardest-working men he ever knew. Their bond grew beyond the job; they were like brothers, sharing life, laughter, and memories—right down to attending a gun show together. That kind of loyalty, forged through years of shared labor and trust, was something John carried into every relationship.

John built more than cars. He built trust, brotherhood, and respect. His hands repaired what was broken, his presence steadied those around him, and his life stood as proof that quiet integrity leaves the deepest mark. The world is lesser without him—but richer for having had him at all.

John was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, John Ervin Austin, Marie Vermont Black, LD Austin, and James Austin. Following the loss of his siblings, he lost his devoted and providing father, Ambrose Ervin Austin (1904–1983), who passed away in Etowah, Alabama, at the age of 78. John inherited his father’s strong will and steadfast character, traits that guided him throughout his life. Following the loss of his dad, his beloved mother, Grace Austin, who passed away in November 1986 in Etowah, Alabama, at the age of 72. He carried her memory with him always—through her Bible, her food, her holistic medicines used when he needed a “pick me up,” and most importantly, her wisdom.

Following his mother in death was his beloved younger sister, Rosemary Austin (1955–1996), who passed away at the age of 41 in Etowah, Alabama. John held a deep and enduring love for his sister, and her memory remained close to his heart throughout his life. He took comfort in his faith and the promise that he would one day be reunited with her.

Loved ones who survive John include his younger brother, Ambrose Edwin Austin, age 73, born in 1952 in Gadsden, Alabama. Ambrose, known as “Uncle Ed” by John’s children, was a building block in the family John created, especially with Andrea Holyoak. Some of John’s fondest memories of Ed were bringing his children around and letting them receive the infamous cinnamon Altoids—John loved the joy they brought to his children’s faces.

John lived by a clear and unwavering set of values: honesty, hard work, and devotion to the life and people he loved. He believed deeply in fairness—an eye for an eye—and he never left a score unsettled. John did not avoid accountability, nor did he turn away from what needed to be made right. His word was his bond, and his integrity was unshakable.

Above all, John walked faithfully with the Lord. His love for God was not loud or performative—it was lived daily, through service, discipline, and quiet obedience. From his early years helping care for High Street Baptist Church alongside his family, his faith was formed through action and responsibility. The pastor of the church once described John as a man who served without seeking recognition and even called him “the devil” for knowing too much about the Bible—a testament to the depth of his devotion and knowledge of Scripture. John’s presence reflected steady faith and genuine devotion, and he carried that faith with him every day, trusting God fully and walking in His presence throughout his life.

True to his nature, John was a fighter up until the very end. He began his battle with cancer in 2018 and faced it with strength, grit, and determination. Living with Multiple Myeloma and COPD, he endured years of hardship with courage and resolve, never surrendering his spirit. He fought through every challenge placed before him and remained steadfast up to his final breath. Now healed and at peace, John has gone home to be with the Lord he so faithfully served. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, strength, faith, and quiet honor—proof that a life lived with conviction and devotion never truly ends.