John R. Austin, 84, of El Dorado, CA, passed away in his sleep on Friday, April 7,2017, after a long fight with cancer. He was born October 27, 1932, in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, to Stewart and Tillie (Stallmo) Austin. He grew up in East Grand Forks where he met and married Donna Haaby in April 1951. They followed her dad and siblings to CA, shortly after. John worked as an Auto Bodyman for 45 years, most of that time at Central Auto Body, in Orangevale, CA. He enjoyed rebuilding cars for family and friends. In 1973, he bought property in El Dorado, CA, and remodeled an old clubhouse and horse arena into a large home. He loved living on his ranch, raising horses and various livestock over the years. After he retired, he enjoyed working with wood, making many projects for his family and home. He loved to travel back to Minnesota each summer, to spend time with his brothers and extended family, and again to Texas, when his brothers would snowbird there during the winter.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, in 1978. He remarried for a short time and raised and showed quarter horses. He wore a big black cowboy hat and vest, and many locals knew him as "Cowboy Johnny". He is survived by his daughter Sandy Ward (John Ward), also of El Dorado, who took care of him for many years as he battled cancer; daughter Connie Bye (Steve Bye), of Auburn, CA, and son Tracy Austin (Diane Gorman), of Placerville, CA; Grandchildren, Dawn, Jake, Melissa, Matthew, Jamie, Jesse, Tyson, Brandi, and JJ; and 10 Great-grandchildren. Also survived by his brother-in-laws, Casey Anderson and Dan (Gail) Haaby, and sister-in-laws, Patricia Austin and Jere Haaby. He was the last child left of Stewart and Tillie Austin, preceded in death by his brothers Russ, Earl, Stu, Gene, and sister Bernice Winger.

John was a walking miracle, surviving surgeries and many cancer treatments for 21 years. He even graduated from Hospice two times! We called him the Eveready Bunny because the doctors were even amazed. He was a gentle, quiet man, with a sense of humor. He always felt that he lived a longer life than he expected and once he made peace with the Lord, he was ready to go.

A memorial service is planned for May. Further details will be posted at a later date.