It is with profound sadness that the family of Dr. Clegg Farmer Austin announces his passing on July 30, 2025, at the age of 92. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, physician, and community servant, Dr. Austin lived a full and rich life marked by compassion, humility, and unwavering service to others.
Dr. Austin is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Faye Bentley Austin, who was not only his life partner but also his trusted collaborator in his pediatric practice. He is also survived by his children: Brent Austin; Jill Austin Guenther and her husband, Steve Guenther, of Murray, Kentucky; Mark Austin and his husband, Bill Sandoval, of Los Angeles, California; Paul Austin and his wife, Kelley Austin, of Houston, Texas; and John Michael Austin and his wife, Tonya Austin, also of Houston. His grandchildren include Kelsey Shuler Kolbenschlag and her husband, Dan Kolbenschlag; Nathan Shuler; John Paul Austin and his wife, Sarah Austin; Lewis Austin; Jason Austin; Sean Austin; and Luke Austin. He is also survived by his sister, Fidelia Austin Risk, and her husband, Paul Risk, of Muncie, Indiana.
Dr. Austin’s life was one of amazing commitments to his profession and his community. A trailblazer in regional healthcare, he was the first pediatrician in Western Kentucky and practiced medicine for an extraordinary 57 years with compassion and dedication. During his decades of service, he became an essential figure in the lives of countless families, often caring for multiple generations. He was known not only for his medical expertise but for his warmth and accessibility. Parents knew that no matter the hour, if their child needed help, Dr. Austin would always say, “Bring your child in,” and would remain in the office until the child received the care they needed.
In 2008, Dr. Austin was honored with the Cantley Award by the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognizing his outstanding contributions to pediatric healthcare in the state. He devoted himself wholly to his patients, working alongside his trusted nurse and wife, Faye.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Austin was actively engaged in improving child wellness and access to healthcare. He was involved with the Head Start program for over 40 years and served on the local health department board. In the 1960s, he represented the American Academy of Pediatrics in advocating for mandatory physical examinations for all preschool-aged children in Kentucky. He traveled extensively across Western Kentucky, often volunteering his time to administer free exams and serve children in rural communities. He also supported the Boy Scouts for decades, offering volunteer healthcare services, conducting physicals, and remaining on-call during camping seasons to ensure the safety and well-being of young scouts.
Dr. Austin was also a tireless advocate for nursing education. In 1963, he was instrumental in championing the creation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Murray State University, believing strongly in the essential role of nurses in providing quality healthcare.
Dr. Austin’s passion for education and his community was evident in his lifelong connection to Murray High School and Murray State University. A proud 1950 graduate of Murray High School, Dr. Austin was honored with the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022, celebrating his decades of commitment to student well-being and his wider impact on the community. As an alumnus of Murray State University, Class of 1953, Dr. Austin was named the Distinguished Biology Alumnus in 2011 and served as the Grand Marshal for the Murray State Homecoming that same year—reflecting his leadership and devotion to the university. His family legacy at Murray State is a source of enduring pride: his father, A.B. Austin, was the first Dean of Men at Murray State and composed both the alma mater and fight song, while his mother, Lucille Farmer Austin, graduated from Murray State College in 1928.
His relationship with Murray State continued throughout his life, and he remained a loyal supporter of both the university and the greater educational landscape of Western Kentucky. He was also actively engaged in the civic life of the city of Murray and involved in supporting Murray High School through various school health and youth development efforts.
As a medical practitioner, Dr. Austin was constantly in pursuit of the latest innovations in pediatric care. He worked to bring new equipment and technologies to his practice and regularly stayed abreast of emerging research to improve outcomes for infants and children.
To those who knew him, Dr. Austin was more than a physician, he was a source of comfort, a wise advisor, and a gentle presence. Children often rushed into his arms with joy, and nurses and staff who worked alongside him respected him deeply for his trust in their professional judgment, kindness, and unwavering support. He was always positive and had a gentle rapport with new mothers and their infants. Many children under his care grew into adulthood still calling him their doctor—some spanning three generations within the same family.
Dr. Austin’s influence echoes through the lives of the families he cared for, his colleagues, and the community he served with immeasurable dedication and love. His enduring legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, countless patients, and all who had the privilege of knowing and being cared for by Dr. Austin.
His life was one of tremendous purpose, marked by a profound love for his family, his community, and especially the children whose lives he so deeply touched.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Austin enjoyed time gardening and boating on Kentucky Lake – finding peace and joy in the natural beauty of the place he called home.
Finally, Dr. Austin was a man of deep faith who found joy, purpose, and community through his church life. He was long active in both the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the First Baptist Church of Murray, Kentucky, where he formed lasting friendships and served with quiet dedication. Whether attending services, supporting ministry work, or simply enjoying fellowship with others, Dr. Austin was a beloved presence to many within his faith community. His devotion to his church and church family was yet another reflection of his lifelong commitment to love and serve others.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky. Rev. Kerry Lambert will officiate along with family remarks and burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, visitation will also be held from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Murray.
In memory of Dr. Austin and with gratitude from the family, we encourage any expressions of sympathy be directed to either of the following:
- The “Dr. Clegg F. Austin Memorial Scholarship” is being established to assist local area students with financial need that pursue pre-med education at Murray State University. Please make checks payable to MSU Foundation, Inc., 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071 and make note of “Dr. Clegg F. Austin Memorial Scholarship”. Cards and envelopes will also be available at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home.
- A donation to the Murray Head Start program to fund needed medical supplies for early childhood classrooms may be made in Dr. Austin’s name. Please make checks payable to Murray Head Start, 208 S. 13th St., Murray, KY 42071. Please note “Dr. Clegg F. Austin” on the memo line of the check.
Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com.
