Gary Austin, 67, a sociology professor and artist, died at home on November 16, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born May 9, 1952. He is survived by his parents, Howard and Constance Austin; his wife of 46 years, Dixie; and his three daughters, Christy and husband, Chad Sweigert, of Jacksonville, FL, Rachel and husband, Chris Kayser, of Hagerstown, MD, and Heather and husband, TJ Kaufman, of Martinsburg, WV. He had four grandsons, Cody, Luke, Alex, and Ty, and one granddaughter, McKenna. Gary graduated from Frostburg University in 2003 with a degree in sociology. He received a Master of Liberal Arts in 2006 from McDaniels. Gary was a devoted father. He was an avid University of Maryland football fan. He enjoyed spending his Saturdays watching college football with his family. Gary loved going to Ocean City, MD. He and his wife owned a home in Berlin, MD and made many memories with family at the beach. He loved God and was looking forward to being reunited with loved ones. Gary will be deeply missed by his friends and family. The funeral service will be held 11am Friday, November 22, 2019, at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, MD 21740. Pastor Corey Broadwater will officiate. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home two hours prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21742 or John R. Marsh Cancer Center, 11110 Medical Campus Rd, Suite 129, Hagerstown, MD 21742.