Thomas Murray Austin was born in San Antonio, Texas on September 17,1953 to J.W. "Bill", Jr. and Charlie Ann Franklin Austin. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in Uvalde, Texas on September 10, 2025, just shy of his 72 birthday.

Tom grew up in San Antonio, but high-tailed it to the family ranch in McMullen County every weekend. He loved the outdoors and spent his childhood hunting and fishing with his cousins and friends at the C4/Franklin Ranch. The Franklins and Burmeisters were pioneering families in McMullen County and Tom loved studying about the joys and hardships of their early lives in the brush country. His life was greatly impacted by the struggle and accomplishments of those that went before him.

Tom attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas graduating with a degree in finance. He was an expert marksman and was a member of the Trinity University Trap and Skeet Team.

Tom moved to Uvalde in 1995 to assume directorship of the Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau. He focused on the enjoyment he had enjoying the outdoors during his life and worked hard to bring people to Uvalde County to enjoy our beautiful rivers, wildlife habitat and historical points of intrest. He worked in other capacities in Uvalde to bring people to Uvalde to visit or spend their winters here away from the north's cold weather. He served as director of The Herby Ham Activity Center, which welcomed many Winter Texans with open arms. Tom was a member of the Uvalde Historical Commission and the Texas Hill County Trail Advisory Board. His easy, thoughtful manner made him invaluable to his family, friends and coworkers. His wide variety of friends and experiences left him with many friends all over Texas. It was his habit to stay in contact with friends and in particular, family members.

During his son Thomas's school years in Pleasanton, he was always there to cheer him on in football, basketball, and track.  He also diligently followed the Uvalde Coyotes when his grandson, Baxter Brewer, was in high school. Another source of enjoyment and pride was his membership in the distinguished German men's choir, The San Antonio Liederkranz. The choir was establisged in 1892. The choir performed all over Texas and sings at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in San Antonio.

Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 26 years, Susan, his son Thomas Murray Austin, Jr., his stepchildren Cortney Esquitin (Joseph), James Aaron Riggins, and grandson Baxter Boone Brewer (Hayley). He's is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Mellville, brothers John Austin (Anne) and J.W. Austin, III (Deborah), nieces Katie Landry, Melanie Spencer, and nephew James Spencer.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Tilden Community Center.