Obituary for Curtis Russell Austin
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Curtis Russell Austin transitioned into his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Curtis was born on February 6, 1953, as the oldest child of Drs. Gwendolyn Hackley Austin and Theodore Dunbar Austin. Curtis was a passionate person who did not shrink himself in order to fit into others’ expectations of him. He laughed loudly and often, spoke passionately and robustly, and wrote vigorously and with temerity. His life was not small; he lived simply yet audaciously.
Curtis followed his passion for the written word to the University of Hartford where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature. In 1978, he earned a Master’s Degree in English Literature from Howard University continuing in the Austin family tradition of graduating from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. At Howard, Curtis studied 18th Century English Literature and wrote his thesis on the role of non-white characters in the fictional canon of Daniel Defoe.
After leaving Howard, Curtis spent 8 years working as a columnist for the Dallas Times Herald and the Dallas Morning News. While there, he was the first African American columnist for both papers and the first such columnist in the history of Texas Journalism in a major newspaper. He also spearheaded a column about family life seen through the prism of a black man.
While an undergraduate student at the University of Hartford, Curtis served as a Big Brother to a young boy in Hartford, Connecticut. When asked, the boy’s mother acknowledged her appreciation for Curtis' dedication both to her son and the other children in her neighborhood as well. He took them all under his wing, mentored them, and exposed them to college life. Later, while at the Dallas Times Herald, Curtis wrote a column reflecting on those days which won 1st place for editorial writing from the Dallas Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists. Curtis was ultimately nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his columns at the Dallas Times Herald and was chosen as the Columnist of the Year for newspapers with a circulation greater than 250,000.
After spending many years in Journalism, Curtis dedicated the remainder of his life to Public Service. He worked at the Federal Aviation Administration before spending 28 years at the US Department of Health & Human Services as a Public Health Advisor. At the time of his passing, he was a Senior Public Health Advisor where he monitored Drug Free Community Services to create prevention programs to help educate young people about the possible tragic consequences of underage drinking and substance abuse.
Despite his many formidable personal and professional accomplishments, Curtis is perhaps most well-known for his role as father to his son Christopher. He spent his later years doting on Christopher and ensuring that he had a life filled with opportunities, adoration, and an ever-present companion.
Curtis is preceded in death by his parents, Drs. Gwendolyn and Theodore Austin. He will forever be remembered by his son Christopher Austin, his brother Brian Austin, and a host of loving family and friends.
To join the service via Zoom, please click here at the time of service
OR
enter this ID and into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 301 322 2305
Passcode: Austin
If you are experiencing trouble connecting to zoom, try refreshing your browser, if the trouble persists contact our technology department at 301-347-8348 or email us at jkjenkins@jbjfh.com. Thank you.
Curtis Russell Austin transitioned into his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Curtis was born on February 6, 1953, as the oldest child of Drs. Gwendolyn Hackley Austin and Theodore Dunbar Austin. Curtis was a passionate person who did not shrink himself in order to fit into others’ expectations of him. He laughed loudly and often, spoke passionately and robustly, and wrote vigorously and with temerity. His life was not small; he lived simply yet audaciously.
Curtis followed his passion for the written word to the University of Hartford where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature. In 1978, he earned a Master’s Degree in English Literature from Howard University continuing in the Austin family tradition of graduating from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. At Howard, Curtis studied 18th Century English Literature and wrote his thesis on the role of non-white characters in the fictional canon of Daniel Defoe.
After leaving Howard, Curtis spent 8 years working as a columnist for the Dallas Times Herald and the Dallas Morning News. While there, he was the first African American columnist for both papers and the first such columnist in the history of Texas Journalism in a major newspaper. He also spearheaded a column about family life seen through the prism of a black man.
While an undergraduate student at the University of Hartford, Curtis served as a Big Brother to a young boy in Hartford, Connecticut. When asked, the boy’s mother acknowledged her appreciation for Curtis' dedication both to her son and the other children in her neighborhood as well. He took them all under his wing, mentored them, and exposed them to college life. Later, while at the Dallas Times Herald, Curtis wrote a column reflecting on those days which won 1st place for editorial writing from the Dallas Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists. Curtis was ultimately nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his columns at the Dallas Times Herald and was chosen as the Columnist of the Year for newspapers with a circulation greater than 250,000.
After spending many years in Journalism, Curtis dedicated the remainder of his life to Public Service. He worked at the Federal Aviation Administration before spending 28 years at the US Department of Health & Human Services as a Public Health Advisor. At the time of his passing, he was a Senior Public Health Advisor where he monitored Drug Free Community Services to create prevention programs to help educate young people about the possible tragic consequences of underage drinking and substance abuse.
Despite his many formidable personal and professional accomplishments, Curtis is perhaps most well-known for his role as father to his son Christopher. He spent his later years doting on Christopher and ensuring that he had a life filled with opportunities, adoration, and an ever-present companion.
Curtis is preceded in death by his parents, Drs. Gwendolyn and Theodore Austin. He will forever be remembered by his son Christopher Austin, his brother Brian Austin, and a host of loving family and friends.