Randolph Lee Austin, Sr. died January 7, 2020, after a long illness. Randy was born in 1940 to John Southern Austin and Ruth Shippey Austin of Dunwoody, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Randy Austin was a graduate of Davidson College, a Southern gentleman, a lifelong athlete, a Senior Olympian, and a furniture executive who dearly loved the industry and the fraternity of furniture people. He was a pioneer in Vietnam who taught and mentored Vietnamese factory owners to make fine furniture.
His 57-year career in furniture included years as CEO of four major furniture companies, Theodore Alexander, Hickory White, Hammary and Riverside as well as his own consulting and sourcing company Austin Home Sourcing. He was a founder of the Furniture Fellowship.
He served in the U.S. Armed forces as a captain and instructor at Officer Candidate School. He is survived by his wife, Robin King Austin; his children, Viki Austin and Randolph (Chip) Austin and wife Melanie; his granddaughter Parker Austin; his stepchildren, Morgan and Madison Minus; and three loving brothers, John Austin, Mike Austin, and Chris Austin.
He was a loving father, brother, grandfather and husband. We will all miss him for the rest of our lives and he will be remembered for his courage and fighting spirit. We all learned from his gentle demeanor and his determination to fight for life.
A memorial service will be held at Highlands United Methodist Church, Highlands, NC, on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 2:30 p.m.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com.