Austin Richins

Austin H Richins passed away peacefully on November 7th, 2012 at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello.

Austin was born in Oakley, Idaho on September 28, 1926 - the youngest child of Orson Chester Richins and Harriet Mable Hunter. When he was 8, the family moved to Declo, Idaho. He graduated from Declo High-Class of 1944. He was an outstanding athlete, drove the district school bus, and worked as a soda jerk at the local drugstore.

He was drafted into military service on Christmas Eve, 1944. He served in the US Army for two years--stationed in New Guinea and Manila. On April 27, 1945, he married Cleora Anderson, also from Declo High, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. After his military discharge, they established residence in Pocatello, Idaho and have lived there since. They are the parents of five children: Marcia, Ronald, Rebecca, Karl, and Patricia. This year, Austin and Cleora celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

Austin began employment for JR Simplot Company loading fertilizer bags into boxcars. After 40 years of continuous employment with Simplot, he retired as Credit and Shipping Manager at the Don Plant.

Austin was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has filled many callings: ward clerk, Elders Quorum President, Bishop, and President of the North Pocatello Stake for 12 years. He also served as a Regional Welfare Agent and supervisor of the Pocatello Bishop's Storehouse Cannery. As companions, Austin and Cleora served in the Philippine Quezon City Mission and in the Idaho Pocatello Mission office.

Austin enjoyed gardening and yard work. He was a skilled woodworker who shared his craft with others. He and Cleora spent many happy years sharing their cabin at Island Park, ID with family and friends.

Austin is survived by his wife, Cleora Anderson Richins; five children: Marcia (Roger) Gridley (SLC); Ronald (Nyla Booth) Richins (Minnesota); Rebecca (Kyle) Anderson (Pocatello); Karl (JoLynda Stillman) Richins (SLC); and Patricia (Rob) Boyd (Pocatello) and one sister: Louise Tennant (Colorado Springs). He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Orson Martell Richins and Wendell H Richins, and three sisters: Claire Adams, Effie Larsen, and Rachel Klemme, and grandson, John Austin Gridley.

The family would like to express deep appreciation for the kind and loving care he received while residing at the Idaho State Veterans Home for the past 2 1/2 years.

Please take a moment to share your condolences with the Richins family in the Guestbook; your short stories and memories in Stories; and photos of Austin in the Photo Gallery.

Service information can be found under the service schedule tab.