Junior Austin Capron, 95 years young, graduated from his earthly home in Silver Springs, Florida to his heavenly home on Saturday morning, July 2nd, 2022. He was preceded in death by Shirley, his beloved wife of 65 years, in 2016. He and Shirley moved to Ocala in 1997 and at the age of 72 he began building their home in Silver Springs. He would have been the first to tell you that home was for Shirley and it was indeed a labor of love which is reflected throughout every room.
Austin was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. Before they retired to the Ocala area, Austin was an electrician at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ocala where he participated on the Handyman Team, taught Sunday School, and he and Shirley were very active in the Senior Adult Ministry until their health declined.
Austin is survived by his two children: His son Craig and his wife Lorna, his daughter Kathy Coleman, three grandchildren Darren Gardner, Leslie Stark, and Jennifer Flint, six great-grandchildren Abigail, Leah, and Jillian Flint and Devon, Madyson, and Alyson Stark, a niece and her husband, Janet and Larry Coy, two nephews and their wives, Mark and Laurel Capron and David and Susan Capron, and cousins Gary and Pat Milford, Jim Milford, Lynn and Judy Walker, and Sharon and Bob Harmon. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.
Austin was a true hero and a patriot. He lived by his principles and never wavered. He was a loyal friend, devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband. He was a masterful carpenter and electrician, and he had a mind like a steel trap that stayed with him until the end just like his uncanny sense of humor. He was patient and kind and fought the good fight and we loved him. He will forever be in our memories and we celebrate with him on his graduation to eternal rest.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Countryside Funeral Home in Anthony, Florida. There will be a military memorial service at Bushnell National Cemetery on Monday, July 11, 2022 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Hospice of Marion County.