Norvell Eugene (Gene) Austin |
| Posted 2009-09-13 by Sharla |
| The White Mountain Independent Show Low, Arizona 01/06/2006 Norvell Eugene "Gene" Austin went home to his Heavenly Father Dec. 29, 2005. He was born March 28, 1940, and raised in Vernon, where he attended school in a two room school house. He joked about being chosen the valedictorian of his eighth grade class, because he was the only student in his grade level. He attended Round Valley High School in Eagar and was chosen for the all state teams in both football and basketball. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Monterey, California Mission after which he graduated from Arizona State University in Special Education. Gene's life work was championing the cause of special needs students. He founded the Nueva Vista School for emotionally handicapped children at the Arizona State Hospital, and became an educational specialist for the Arizona Department of Education where he created the current statewide training program to assist teachers in instructing special needs students. Gene served as the Special Education Director for Creighton, Madison, Osborn and Deer Valley School Districts. He obtained his masters degree and did doctoral work in educational administration and special education at Arizona State University and taught at that institution for 10 years. In 1995, Gene founded the Austin Centers for Exceptional Students known as The ACES, to provide the best possible educational and therapeutic programming for special needs students. Through his own vision, The ACES has grown to become the largest private special education day school in the state of Arizona and has bettered the lives of thousands of students from over 30 school districts. Gene's personal and professional commitment included accepting every child who needed help and making all decisions based only upon the best interests of the student. Gene is survived by his cherished father, LD Austin; three brothers and three sisters; his wife and soulmate, Francie; his devoted children, Eric Austin, Kendall Austin, Brandon and Tacy Austin, Danae Austin Bradley and husband Michael Bradley Sr., and Melissa Austin. Gene's adored grandchildren Michael Jr., Holdyn, Brennyn, and Karrington Bradley and Navy, Jaed and Sylvan Austin. Funeral services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6840 E. Gold Dust, Scottsdale, Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 4:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Eagar Cemetery in Eagar. Donations can be made to the Gene Austin Scholarship Fund at The ACES. Arrangements entrusted to Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, (480) 991-5800. See Also: Find A Grave |
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