Lon Austin

Lon passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack on March 24, 2025. He was born on February 19,
1956, to Orlie and Alice Austin in Prineville. His parents joined Wycliff Bible Translators and the family
went to Brazil and lived with an indigenous tribe from 1968-1972. Lon graduated from Crook County
High School in 1974 and then went to George Fox College. He graduated with a teaching degree and
taught PE in Spray for one year. He then moved to Newberg where he met Karlene through a mutual
friend. Lon and Karlene car-pooled to Portland State for graduate school over the summer and by the end
of that they were engaged. They were married on June 13, 1981 and this year would have been their 44th
anniversary.
Lon worked in lumber mills for the next 12 years and then got a job at Central Christian School where he
taught a variety of subjects and coached girls volleyball and basketball. In 2007 he began working for the
Central Oregonian as a sports writer and found his true calling. Lon loved everything about high school
sports, the kids and the photography.
Lon is survived by his wife Karlene Austin of Prineville, daughter Misty Johnson of Huntsville Alabama,
daughter Candice Carter of Sitka Alaska, mother Alice Austin of Haines Alaska, and 6 grandchildren:
Lilah Johnson, Elijah Johnson, Silas Johnson, Aurora Carter, Opal Carter, and Iris Carter.
A public celebration of life will be held at the Crook County High School Gym 1100 SE Lynn Blvd
Prineville, OR 97754  at 1:00 p.m. on April 27th

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