Alan Austin

The phrase “How Sweet It Is” will forever have a new meaning as it perfectly describes how we picture our Pops, Alan Cornell Austin, entered the gates of Heaven to meet Jesus on Saturday, June 20, 2026. A slogan for his beloved school, “How Sweet It Is” sums up the reunion between Alan and his best girl, love of his life, Stephanie.

Alan was born on October 27, 1950 in Siloam Springs, AR to John Rex Austin and Wanda Faye Austin. He spent the first few years of his life in Arkansas before passing through Dallas and landing in Arlington, TX. From day one, there was no doubt in Wanda’s mind that her chunky baby boy was the most beautiful baby. To prove it, she entered Alan in back-to-back beautiful baby contests in Dallas and Arlington. Sure enough, Alan brought home the blue ribbon in both. The Austin Family settled on Tucker Street in Arlington. Alan often told stories of his neighborhood friends running the streets, playing baseball and being a bit mischievous. The daily pick-up baseball games are where the love of the game began.

Alan was a fan of many sports and many teams and could often be found watching or listening to the Cowboys, Rangers, or host of other teams, but his first real sports love was centered around the New York Yankees. He spent countless hours listening and watching his Yankees play over the years. Like all boys, Alan had his favorite player. Mickey Mantle was his baseball hero. One of his favorite memories was getting to watch The Mick and his Yankees play at Dodger Stadium. Later in life, Alan and a close family friend, also a huge Yankee fan, posed as a married couple and made an appointment to view Mickey Mantle’s house in Dallas when it came up for sale. The picture of him in Mickey Mantle’s trophy room was one he cherished.

A product of AISD, Alan attended South Davis Elementary, Ousley Jr. High and Arlington High School. Throughout his school years, Alan built friendships that lasted his lifetime. If you were a friend of Alan’s, you knew that he had your back. He was the kind of friend that kept your secrets, was fiercely protective, a bit of an instigator of shenanigans and biggest supporter. To this day, very few know the real story of the Legend of the Stolen Sam Houston Bell. Alan is often described as a resilient young man and the definition of grit. After losing his leg in a motorcycle accident at fifteen, his strength and determination was challenged. Months at Parkland Hospital in Dallas exposed him to situations he had not seen before, causing him to grow up fast. Where some would question their faith, Alan often had their Pastor come pray over him. Dr. Baxter would tell the Austins that angels were on his shoulder after a successful surgery. Throughout the trauma, Alan made a point to thank nurses, interns and doctors for taking care of him. That is a trend in his life that never wavered. Being grateful for the gifts you are given, even in the midst of your darkest days, was important to him. His stubbornness, determination and hard work eventually lead him back to playing baseball, and many other sports, throughout his life.

At the beginning of his Junior Year of High School, he made a new “buddy” from Sam Houston High School. His version of the story was his friend was giving him the eye, so he asked her on a date. The rest, as you would say, is history. Stephanie and Alan were inseparable from that point forward. Alan transferred from the University of North Texas to the University of Texas at Arlington as he could not stand to be that far away from her. The couple married in 1971. They welcomed their one and only son, Mike, into this world the following year. Over 40 years, they served as an example of marriage to all who knew them. They embodied what it means to work for and in your marriage, all while having fun and genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

Alan believed in hard work. If you were going to do something, you had to do it right or don’t do it at all. Just out of college, he partnered in opening The Sports Factory, a local sporting goods store in Arlington. Shortly after, Alan and Stephanie also took over Austin Jewelers from his parents. Over the years, he volunteered as a coach for various baseball organizations in Arlington. In 1986, he made the decision to follow his passion of investing in kids as a teacher and coach at Gunn Jr. High. Alan moved over to Arlington High School in 1993 where he coached football, baseball and track. The mark he left on his students, players and co-workers is one that can never be erased. He embodied the Spirit, Pride and Tradition that Arlington High School was so famously known for. He spent countless days encouraging, mentoring and pouring into the students, faculty and staff. Alan passionately believed in the value and influence of athletics. Teamwork, accountability, commitment, sacrifice and mental toughness were all characteristics he modeled and expected from his players. Being successful on and off the field was equally important. The brotherhood of coaching coupled with the ability to shape young men and women were responsibilities he did not take lightly. He accepted nothing less than 100% effort as a player. His superpower was his ability to see something in others that they cannot see in themselves. He had the unique ability to hold you to the highest standard while showing you he believed in you. Known for picking up “strays”, he invested in those who were “missing something” in their lives. He has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at AHS, AHS Distinguished Alumni, Kiwanis Teacher of the Year for AISD, PTA Life Member Award and 40 Years of Service for AISD.

The Cravens Family introduced the Austins to St. Elmo, Colorado, in the mid-1980s. From the Tabor ghost stories to the rich history of the Gold Rush, St. Elmo was a place they instantly fell in love with. The highlight of the year was spending time on the mountain with friends and family. Alan and Stephanie had a dream to own their own cabin in St. Elmo someday and to share the majesty and beauty of the mountains in the same way it was shared with them. After Stephanie’s passing in 2012 Alan fulfilled that dream and purchased a cabin in October 2015. Alan would spend most of his Summer there while hosting countless friends and family. While looking over the mountains Alan would often say, “how can you not believe in God after seeing all of this?”

If you know him or have spent more than a minute with him, you know that his faith and his family were the cornerstones of his life. The most coveted role for him was the one of being “Pops.” He would tell anyone who would listen to stories of his grandchildren, Ben and Ella. While many feel like they have the coveted title of his favorite, make no mistake that belongs to them. One of his greatest joys was having his grandchildren “go to school” with him over the course of five years. Those years transformed his title in the school from Coach to Pops throughout the hallways of Arlington High. As third generation Arlington Colts, he taught them the love of his school, how to lead by example, the significance of being involved and encouraged them to rally their classmates with contagious energy for the betterment of the entire school.

Alan was preceded in death by the love of his life, Stephanie, and his parents John and Wanda Austin. He is survived by his son, Michael Alan Austin and wife, Nicky; his grandchildren, Benjamin Alan Austin and Ella Rose Austin, his fur children, Rudy and Annie; his brother, John Austin and wife, Marla; niece, Kristin Austew and husband, Matt; niece, Amanda Huckabee and husband Josh; nephew, Zach Folta and wife, Michelle; niece, Jamie Folta McInally and husband, Paul; niece Kelli Folta Nicoli and husband, Michael; niece, April Folta Loe and husband, Tyler; step-nephew, Brandon Walker and wife, Chelsea; step-niece Kensey Walker; step-niece Morgan Walker and a host of great nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Alan’s life is filled with countless stories about his competitive nature, loving spirit, belief in others and lasting mentorships. He was a man of integrity, great faith, generosity and love. Stories will live on about the impact he has had on others. If Alan was a part of your life, you were better because of it.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6, at Wade Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, at First Baptist Church, with graveside to follow at Parkdale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Arlington High School Alumni Association at www.ahscolts-alumni.org or by mail at P.O. Box 152578, Arlington, TX 76015; Gospel City Church at www.gospelcitychurch.com/give or by mail at 2214 W. Park Row Dr, Pantego, TX 76013; Arlington Athletics Hall of Honor at www.arlingtonhallofhonor.org or by mail at P.O. Box 14250, Arlington, TX 76094.