Austin Saint Clair Leavell passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 95, leaving behind a life marked by service to country and love for his family.
Born on November 5, 1930, in Trenton, Kentucky, to Baker and Myrtle Wheeler Leavell, Austin exhibited hard work, loyalty, and integrity throughout his life. He was proud to be an American and a true patriot who loved the United States of America deeply. Austin served his country with distinction in the United States Navy for 22 years. He retired after a long and dedicated career. He fought in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War and served as a Chief Petty Officer.
Beyond his military accomplishments, Austin was a man of simple pleasures. He was known for being loyal, honest, and dependable. He had a green thumb and took great pride in gardening. He especially enjoyed growing tomatoes and was known for making zucchini bread. He grew roses for his wife, Julia, a tender expression of his love and devotion.
Austin is survived by his two daughters, Deborah (Mike) France, Lt. Col. Retired, Air Force, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sharon (Keith) Price of Paducah; one son, Bruce (Dawn) Leavell of Paducah; seven grandchildren, Rachel (Jose) Alvarez of Pipe Creek, Texas, Brent (Devon) Price of Paducah, Lindsey (Josh) Wurth of Paducah, Samantha (Grant) Galley of San Antonio, Texas, Alexandra (Kevin) Bonney of Anchorage, Alaska, Lauren (Ben) Tidwell of Portland, Oregon, and Gabriel Leavell of Murray, Kentucky; and eleven great grandchildren, Diego, Tristan, Makaela, Aubrey, Arabella, Austin, Owen, Abagail, Brody, Ansley, and Hadlee.
Besides his parents, Austin was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Julia Lee Addison Leavell; two sisters, Anne Leavell and Ruth Hall; and two brothers, John Leavell and Douglas Leavell.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 12 P.M. at the Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Dr. Brad White officiating. Burial will follow at the Edgewood Cemetery in Trenton, Kentucky. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 A.M. until the funeral begins at noon.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of gifts to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301 or to the Reidland Baptist Church, 5559 Benton Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42003.
Share a memory or leave an encouraging message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
