By Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
Friends and family remembered former Mayor and State Attorney Ed Austin on Sunday as a statesman, mentor, leader and a caring father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Austin died in his sleep Saturday morning. He was 84.
“It was very peaceful and quiet,” said his son-in-law, Tom Slater, who is married to Austin’s daughter, Amy.
“We’d all been with him the last couple of days,” said Slater, speaking on Easter Sunday.
Slater, who said the family was focusing on the Easter season, said Austin had been doing well and was very active. He said Austin had been happy.
Austin is survived by his son, Steve, of Ponte Vedra Beach, and his daughters Bridget, of Tampa, and Amy, of Jacksonville. He has nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Services are being arranged this week.
Steve Austin released a statement to media on Sunday from Austin’s family:
“Our family is truly touched by the outpouring of support from everyone. Dad loved Jacksonville and it’s clear from all of the wonderful words expressed by friends and people from all over town that he was loved in return. We are saddened at the loss of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was an inspiration to us by how he lived and treated others. He lived a great life and accomplished much throughout his life — but he was always humble and remained devoted to God and his family. Our family has been blessed by having such an amazing man in our lives and we wish everyone a Happy Blessed Easter.”
Austin served as mayor from 1991-1995 after serving as state attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit for about 20 years. He also served as the City’s general counsel.
Austin earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University, where he was a football star.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he earned his law degree at the University of Florida. He practiced law as an assistant county solicitor and as the circuit’s first public defender.
He and his wife, Patricia, raised their three children. Mrs. Austin died in a 1996 traffic accident and Austin was injured.
“He was always a teacher and coach at heart,” said University of North Florida President John Delaney, who served with Austin in the State Attorney’s Office and at City Hall, succeeding him as mayor.
“Almost everyone who worked for Ed would say that Ed was the most influential person in their lives outside of their parents,” said Delaney.
“His is a legacy that will never end.”
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Remembering Ed Austin...
Mayor John Peyton
“Mayor Austin was a true statesman and the epitome of a public servant. In fact, I do not know of a man of greater character who has ever led our city. Whether it was working to keep harmful criminals off the streets or executing a vision for redevelopment of Downtown, Mayor Austin’s life was dedicated to serving this community and its citizens. His efforts, both while serving in office and in the years that followed, have helped to shape Jacksonville and make it a better place.
Personally, I am forever grateful to Mayor Austin for his friendship.
During my time in office, he has provided me with counsel and support, as he has done for countless others in our community. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Jeanne Ward
Former mayoral assistant
“He had a great way of bringing out the best in people. He was a wonderful example that ethics and morals and good vision work in politics. He led good government and he believed in the power of government to help people.
He always said, ‘use your own judgment. Don’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with.’”
John Delaney
President, University of North Florida
Former Jacksonville mayor
Former assistant state attorney
“He was the best public servant in the history of the city. It is impossible to pick one or two or three accomplishments, because his career was so long and so varied. No one served longer and in more important executive positions than Ed.
His legacy is in the hundreds of people he directly influenced as their boss. He was always a teacher and coach at heart. Almost everyone who worked for Ed would say that Ed was the most influential person in their lives outside of their parents.
His is a legacy that will never end. So many people began their career under him. He had an unbelievable eye for talent.”
Nat Glover
President, Edward Waters College
Former Jacksonville sheriff
“Ed Austin’s term as state attorney was stellar and we always had the sense that he was fair and cared about the whole community, and I saw no difference during his term as mayor.
His work and initiative in LaVilla and his other service was living proof in my mind that he was concerned about the whole community.
Jacksonville has lost a true statesman.”
Tommy Hazouri
Former mayor
Duval County School Board member
“He was a perfect gentleman. He led with strong leadership. He had much integrity.”
Jake Godbold
Former Jacksonville mayor
“We are all going to miss Ed. We all had a great deal of respect for Ed. He will be remembered for all the people he was able to take and train and they’re all still involved in the community. He was always proud of that.”