age 72, of Birmingham, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. He was a member of Metro Church of God. He retired from U.S. Steel after 30 years and 18 years with the City of Birmingham Landscape Supervisor. He was also Santa for Birmingham, Homewood and Jefferson County for 25 years. Mr. Austin loved cooking, gardening, books; and he was an extremely hardworker. He was preceded in death by his parents Roselle and Elvin Austin, stepson Bill Kirkpatrick, and his former wife of 22 years Joe Fay Austin. Mr. Austin is survived by: wife of 31 years Barbara Austin of Birmingham; three daughters Debra Needham, Catherine Austin and Lisa Cash all of Prattville, AL; three stepsons John Kirkpatrick of Birmingham, Kenneth Kirkpatrick of Molton,Al, and Robert Kirkpatrick of Jacksonville, NC; grandsons Eric Austin, David (Amy) Needham, Chris Needham, Robert Ward, Nicholas Ward, Johnathon Ward, James Ward, Eathan Stutts, and Robert Edward Kirkpatrick; three granddaughters Christy Reynolds, Amber Kirkpatrick, and Gabriele Kirkpatrick; great grandson Garrett Needham; one brother Robert L. (Jerri) Austin; two sisters Frances (Don) Moon and Charlotte (Ben) O'Barr. Visitation will be Wed., Dec. 20, 2006 from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm. A Chapel service will be Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at Valhalla Funeral Home at 2:00 pm. Rev. Tom Fant, Rev. William Wilson and Rev. Fritz Harter officiating.