Michael Austin Denny

Michael Austin Denny passed away into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Austin was born on January 21, 1982, and was the most beloved son of Julie and Mike Denny. A Memorial Service will be held at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander on Wednesday, August 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 2nd, at 1202 Elmwood Drive from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Growing up in Abilene, Austin participated in many sports including baseball, football, soccer and tennis. All of his family and friends experienced many exciting baseball games watching Austin knock the ball over the fence at both Dixie Little League and Abilene Southwest League. All through his school years, Austin excelled in his school work and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also a member of Future Farmers of America and raised both a sheep and a pig. In the fall of 1999, Austin was the starting center of the Abilene High Football team which made the playoffs for the first time in forty years. After high school, Austin attended the University of Texas where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He often mentioned how much he loved his friends there and spent many fun times with them. Austin loved Possum Kingdom Lake, snow skiing in the wintertime with his family, and hunting and searching for the perfect buck during the holiday seasons. Most of Austin's friends would say that he was their best friend. He was a best friend to so many including his special friend and love, Meagan Hayes. Other survivors include his sisters and their husbands: Kate and Matt Haney, Liz and Bryan Whitworth, and a niece Caroline Haney. Other survivors include: Betsy and Dick Skorburg, Wendy and Chase Skorburg, Meg Skorburg, Julie Skorburg, Nancy and Boo Jennings, Mary and Clark Jennings and Will Jennings. Also, Martha and Andy Weatherby, and Mary and Gary Bone. Austin was preceded in death by his grandparents: Margaret and Judge Raleigh Brown and Gerri and Bruce Denny. Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Long, Jackson Fulham, B.J. Cassle, Will Davis, Adam Luther, Scott Stabler, Matt Frizzell, Mackey Arnot, and Jeremiah Smith. Before his death, Austin had written that he would beat his disease with God's help and had underlined this passage from Isaiah 35, "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, and do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you." The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602, or any other charity of the donor's choice.