Reverend Theodore Roosevelt Austin II

Reverend Theodore Roosevelt Austin II (Butch), 68 years old, was born on February 12, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois to Theodore and Doris (Dixon) Austin. He passed away on February 12, 2019 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota from complications of Bile Duct Cancer. His family and friends never left his side. They kept him entertained with worship music, humor, and testimonies of how he touched their life until he was taken to glory by God.

Among those he ministered to and with, he was known as Brother Butch, Rev. Ted, Rev. Austin or Pastor Austin. In his professional life, he was known as Ted. Family and friends always called him Butch. Rev. Austin grew up in Chicago Illinois. His father died before he was two years old. After his mother remarried, he lived with his mother, stepfather (Ike Mobley) and two sisters for a season. However, he was mostly raised by his paternal grandmother, Luellen Dorch Adams (Big Mama) and step-grandfather, James Adams (Pa-Pa).

Rev. Austin graduated from Providence-St. Mel High School. Before going to college, he joined the Black Panther Party—Chicago chapter. There, he helped feed school children breakfast. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. While at the university, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi and lived in the same fraternity house that his father had lived in many years earlier.

Rev. Austin worked as a technician for the University of Illinois’ Computer Based Education Research Laboratory. After graduation, he moved to Minnesota to work for Control Data Corporation as a Development Quality engineer. He continued in the private sector working for CPT Corporation, as an Applications Engineer for Silvar-Lisco, and later as a Senior Applications Engineer for Viewlogic Systems. In 1990, Rev. Austin was hired by the State of Minnesota as an Information Technology Specialist. He officially retired on February 12, 2019.

Rev. Austin gave his life to the Lord reading the book The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey. He attended Evangelist Crusaders Church for over 20 years until God told him to “step out of the boat.” He was a member of Spiritual Life Church for more than eight years. Most of his final ministry assignments were completed as a member of Proverbs Christian Fellowship from 2011 until the time of his passing. Rev. Austin completed a Biblical Studies certificate at Spiritual Life Bible College (formerly known as Spiritual Life Training Center), and he audited the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program at Bethel Seminary. He holds ordination papers from Evangelist Crusader’s Inc. and Covenant Life Ministerial Organization.

Rev. Austin served the kingdom of God in many areas. He helped with fundraisers for Kings Christian Academy. He was a board member in the early years of Southwest Christian High School and Spiritual Life Bible College. He was active for years in evangelism, music, radio, children’s, and youth ministries. He served as a Sunday school teacher as well as pastor over a men’s ministry. He provided English speaking services for Monte Horeb, a Spanish speaking church. He volunteered as a hospice companion, and for over 40 years, he volunteered at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater providing religious services with a team from Evangelist Crusaders Church. He was an instructor for the Spiritual Life Training Center South Minneapolis Bible school. He was also a co-founder and teacher for PCF Empowerment Institute in North Minneapolis. For a short time, he was an associate minister at Evangelist Crusaders church.  However, at the time of his passing, Rev. Austin served on the pastoral staff at Proverbs Christian Fellowship.

As a young man in Chicago, Rev. Austin was engaged to Barbara Cooper. His first child, a daughter, was born in this relationship. In Minnesota, he met and married Judy Logan, a member of his church. To this union was born six more children—four girls and two boys. In life, Butch enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee, fishing, long drives around the lakes and through scenic areas in Minnesota, photography, music, spending time with his family, Shorty & Wags chicken wings, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Savoy’s Pizza, twiddling his thumbs, smiling, and going wherever Judy would go.

Rev. Austin was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore R. Austin and Doris Marie Mobley. He is survived by his wife, Judy Austin; his children, Tonitta White, Jeanette (Marcus) Rupert, Theodore (Rachel) Austin III, Jeanelle Austin, Judith Austin, JoAnne Austin, and James Austin; his grandchildren, Jeremiah, Jada, Janae, Jason, Sundiata, Zamira, Johanna, Hezekiah, and Mateo; his sisters, Karen Pepper and Diana (William) Schmakel; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and godchildren.