November 24, 1955 – June 22, 2007
Michael Allen was best known for playing jazz & blues in the Soulard area at clubs like The Grizzly Bear. He played with legendaries like the Platters, Mae Wheeler, Johnnie Johnson and Roland Allen.
Michael Kevin Austin was born in St. Louis to the late Fire Captain Deacon Daniel Austin and Elzary Diggs Austin. He was the fifth of their five children.
Michael confessed a belief in Christ at an early age. He was baptized and educated at St. Marks Catholic Elementary School and graduated in 1974 from Northwest High School. He studied commercial art at Florissant Valley Community College and music at Gadsden State College in Alabama, earning a “Who’s Who Among American College Students” honor. Mike joined the United States Army and played drums in the Army band.
Michael had one child, Whitney Wayne. He later married Sondra Tillman, and two daughters, Claudia and Alana, were born to this union.
Michael had an entrepreneurial spirit and was CEO of Austin’s Modern Methods. He taught drum lessons, and he played drums at St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist Church until his health failed.
Michael passed from this life on Friday, June 22, 2007 at John Cochran Veterans Medical Center in St. Louis.
Michael leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Sondra; children, Whitney, Claudia and Alanna; two brothers, Arthur Kincade Jr. (Besse) and James Austin; two sisters, Danielle Hawthorne (Robert) and Michelle Austin-Gray; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends.