Renny Lamar Austin, 79, of Grain Valley, Missouri passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Visitation will be 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2023 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, Missouri. Celebration of Life will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Covenant Reformed Church 9511 Lane Ave., Kansas City, MO 64134. Interment at 6:00 p.m. July 22, 2023 in Gassville Cemetery, Gassville, Arkansas.
Renny Lamar Austin was born in Chicago, IL in 1943 because his father was enrolled in occupational schooling. When schooling was completed, the family returned to West Palm Beach, Florida. Renny had some post high school education in Gainesville.
While working for Pratt & Whitney, he survived many layoffs. Then he expanded his avionic engineering expertise and worked at a variety of aircraft companies: Boeing, McDonald Douglass, Lockheed, and the engine division of G.E. When the state of Georgia wanted to retain the Lockheed engineers who were being let go, they scholar shipped companies who would hire those men. So, Renny used his drafting skills to work for White & Cook, surveyors and for Southern Monorail for schematics/drawings for overhead cranes. His father-in-law sent him the ad for Dassault Falcon Jet, a French company in Little Rock, AR. Hired as a design engineer he also added his relationship to the FAA and was a systems designee. He thoroughly enjoyed his 33 years there. Moving to Missouri at retirement, he was called to consult for a few years. He was delighted to find that the house he bought was just two miles from the East Kansas City Airport.
Throughout his life Renny was committed to serving the Lord in church as well as in direct discipleship. On occasion he was asked to be a speaker and a teacher. He really had a heart for encouraging men. His view was that in his quiet devotional time, God seemed to say on occasion, “I’m getting ready to do something in _so and so’s life. Do you want to come along?” And his answer would always be yes.
He was always grateful for his two daughters, telling me we could never afford boys and their cars. And he was so grateful for grandchildren, asking God to let him be able to see them graduate from high school and college. The last one graduated this May. And he for many years spent a half hour each month, praying specifically for each one. This in addition to his daily quiet time prayers. Prayers and Scripture memory were his primary focus in his walk with God.
Obituary submitted by family
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441