Thomas Eugene Austin

Thomas Eugene “Tom” Austin, was born September 26, 1947, in Murphysboro, Il to the late Lloyd and Ruth Elmore Austin, and passed away Friday, June 5, 2026, at his home in Sikeston, MO, surrounded by his family.

A 1965 graduate of Murphysboro High School, Austin served a tour in Vietnam as a combat engineer in 1968-1969. He continued serving his country as Commander of Sikeston American Legion Post #114. With the assistance of his wife, Linda, along with local veterans, he formed Firebase Sikeston. It was this group who brought the Vietnam Moving Wall to Sikeston in 1991 and 2009. It was an outstanding display saluting the service of those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in Vietnam.

Austin helped create the Sikeston Veterans Park and was responsible for securing the F-4 Phantom Jet on permanent display in the park. He was also an active participant in the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day services in Sikeston. In 2014 he was the Parade Marshal for the annual American Legion Cotton Carnival Parade and through the years a strong advocate on behalf of our POW/MIA'S.

A longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston, Austin was also active in civic endeavors in the Sikeston community including serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, he was selected Citizen of the Year and in 2003 Volunteer of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce.

He also was active in girls' softball as a coach and umpire. For a number of years, Tom was employed with Alan Wire in Sikeston for over 30 years until his retirement.

In l969, he married Linda L. Coffer who survives of the home; Also surviving are his daughters, Tammy (Mark) Hanners and Robyn (Derek) Burleson and his grandchildren Mason (Abby) Hanners, Molly (Gavin) Hanners, Garrett (Abby) Burleson, Grant Burleson; also, nieces, nephews and their families.

In addition to his parents, Austin was preceded in death by brothers, Jim Austin and Bob Austin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Allen and Rose Ellen Coffer and brother-in-law, Leland Coffer. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Sikeston, with the pastor, Glen Cantrell, officiating.

Interment with full military honors will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

Pallbearers will be Mark Hanners, Derek Burleson, Mason Hanners, Garrett Burleson, Grant Burleson, Gavin Hutson and Molly Hanners.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to Sikeston Veterans Park, c/o Blair Moran, 201 College Street, Sikeston, MO 63801.