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Houston & Texas News

Judge Russell Austin
HARRIS COUNTY PROBATE COURT

June 24, 2008, 11:47PM

OBITUARIES
Russell Austin, probate judge who also was well-liked teacher
By RENÉE C. LEE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Harris County Probate Judge Russell P. Austin, known by many as a fair and thorough jurist, died
Monday of a massive stroke at age 65.

Austin, who presided over Probate Court No. 1 for 14 years, collapsed on Saturday and was discovered by his ex-wife, Debbie Austin. He was
visiting at her Clear Lake home, she said.

The judge was taken to St. John's Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to The Methodist Hospital, where he died two days later in the
intensive care unit, Debbie Austin said.

News of Austin's sudden death surprised his many friends and colleagues. The Republican judge had appeared to be in good health, despite a
heart attack about eight years ago and a triple bypass about four years ago.

''It was completely out of the blue," said his Associate Judge RuthAnn Stiles.

Austin was elected to the probate court in 1994 and took office in January 1995. He was re-elected to his current four-year term in 2006.

His court will continue to operate as normal, Stiles said. Visiting Judge Jim Scanlan will preside over the bench until the Harris County
Commissioners Court appoints an interim judge, she said.

The commissioners will probably consider the appointment at their next meeting on July 8, said spokesman Joe Stinebaker. The interim
judge will serve until the Nov. 5 election. Each political party will name a candidate who will run to finish Austin's term, which ends in 2010.

Those who knew Austin in legal circles say he was a good judge who was always prepared for court and expected the same of attorneys in
his courtroom.

''He had a habit of reviewing all of his cases," attorney and close friend James Patrick Smith. "On Sunday, he'd review the files because he
did not like to have surprises. He was religious about it."

Attorney Bob MacIntyre, who practiced in his court, said Austin was fair and compassionate. Though he could be tough on lawyers, he never
belittled or berated them in court, MacIntyre said.

Austin was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Houston and the South Texas College of Law.

''He had a very practical blend of law and application before the bench that brought the subject to life," said Helen Jenkins, associate dean
for academic affairs at South Texas College of law, where Austin taught for nine years. Students gave him the outstanding adjunct professor
award several times, Jenkins said.

Austin was born in Maine. His family moved to Houston, where he graduated from Cy-Fair High School, said Debbie Austin. He enlisted in
the Navy and later transferred to the Marines, serving in the medical corps, she said.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Latin American government and politics from the University of Houston in 1968. Two years later, he
earned his law degree at UH. He also earned a master's degree in urban and regional planning law from UH in 1980.

He practiced probate and real estate law for 25 years while also running real estate and construction businesses. He was board certified in
residential real estate law in 1984.

Debbie Austin, his second wife, described him as a generous man who lived life to the fullest. He was a pilot, a master scuba diver and a
skier.

Even a heart attack didn't stop him. Eight years ago, while flying a small plane in Jasper, he felt a crushing pain in his shoulder. He
managed to land the plane and then crawled to the airport hangar to call for help, Debbie Austin said.

Austin is survived by his son, Russell E. Austin, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and his sister, Beverly Delahanty, of Houston.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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