FRANKLIN, N.C. — Furniture industry veteran Randolph Lee Austin Sr. died Jan. 7 after a long illness.
Austin was born Dec. 14, 1940, to John and Ruth Austin in Atlanta. He graduated from Davidson College and was a lifelong athlete and Senior Olympian. He served in the US Armed forces as a Captain and instructor at Officer Candidate School.
A furniture executive who loved the industry and the fraternity of furniture people, Austin was a pioneer in Vietnam who taught and mentored Vietnamese factory owners to make fine furniture. His 57-year career in furniture included years as CEO of Theodore Alexander, Hickory White, Hammary and Riverside, as well as running his own consulting and sourcing company Austin Home Sourcing.
Austin also was a founder of the Furniture Fellowship.
He is survived by his wife, two children, a granddaughter, two stepchildren and three brothers.
A memorial service will be held at Highlands United Methodist Church, Highlands, N.C., on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2:30 pm.
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