Justus Austin Obituary

Justus James Austin Jr., lovingly known as "Jud," passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at the age of 86. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many.
Born on June 8, 1939, in Detroit to Dr. Justus and Rachel Austin, Jud was raised in Tawas City and graduated with the Class of 1957.
Jud went on to attend Michigan State University, graduating in 1962. After college, he proudly served in the U.S. Army and continued in the reserves for six years.
From 1963 to 1968, Jud worked at J.L. Hudson Company in Detroit, where he met the love of his life, Suzanne. They were married on April 14, 1967. In August of 1972, they welcomed their son, Justus J. III, followed by their daughter, Christina Suzanne, in July of 1976.
Jud had a long and successful career in the printing industry. In 1982, alongside four close friends, he co-founded Total Business Systems (TBS), which began by printing business forms and imprinting materials for industry and government. TBS grew to become one of the largest single-ticket printing companies in the gaming industry, specializing in lottery ticket production.
A true outdoorsman, Jud was an avid hunter, enjoying memorable trips throughout Michigan, Alaska, and the western U.S. Growing up on the water in Tawas, he also had a deep love for boating and water skiing – famously impressing family and friends with his barefoot waterskiing skills.
In 2010, Jud embraced one of the greatest joys of his life – becoming a grandfather. He treasured every moment spent with his grandsons, Lukas Justus and Josef James, born in 2010 and 2013, respectively. Nothing thrilled him more than supporting his grandsons from the sidelines as they played football and baseball.
In his later years, Jud enjoyed splitting his time between the family cottage in East Tawas and his home in Stuart, Fla., where he found peace in nature and time with loved ones.
Jud will be remembered for his generous spirit, adventurous soul, and unwavering dedication to family and friends. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the memories he helped create.