Austin announces retirement

Austin retiring as head of Decatur State Bank after 34 years of service.

Vernon Austin
Vernon Austin

— Decatur State Bank president Vernon Austin recently announced he’s retiring at the end of May.

For the past 34 years, Decatur State Bank and Vernon Austin have been synonymous. He will be greatly missed by his employees and customers, said bank vice president Brenda Sprinkles.

Austin is a member of the boards of Grand Savings Bank in Grove, Okla., Decatur State Bank, and is president of Peterson Holding Company.

A reception is set for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., May 19, in the lobby of the Decatur office.

Austin said he decided on an early retirement because of recurring health problems.

“I have enjoyed working for Decatur State Bank for the past 34 years, as well as getting to know all of the customers and employees of Decatur State Bank through the years. I feel the employees are more than just workers but part of my family. Even though I am leaving, I hope to remain friends with all of my customers and employees,” he said.

Austin is a lifelong resident of Decatur, attending Decatur schools.He graduated from Decatur High School in 1969. He attended John Brown University, then transferred to the University of Arkansas. He has taken numerous School of Banking courses.

Austin began his professional career by going to work for the Bank of Gravette in 1971. He began as a teller, working during his summer breaks from college. He soon found he had a talent and love for banking and advanced to the position of loan officer/bank officer.

Austin resigned from the Bank of Gravette in October 1977 to become Decatur State Bank executive vice president.

When Wilmer Smith retired as bank president, Austin assumed the role as president.

During his tenure at Decatur State Bank, Austin has seen the addition of the Gentry and Siloam Springs branches and the annex building next to the bank in Decatur.

The bank, with assets worth $5 million when he started, has grown to as high as $210 million, he said.

Austin said his banking philosophy has been to play by the rules, treat people the way he would want to be treated and treat his employees like family.

“Vernon has given most of us opportunities that we would have not considered prior to coming to work at the Decatur State Bank. He has been such a witness to honesty and fairness. He wouldnever let us stay down in the dumps for long,” said Sprinkles, who became Austin‘s assistant shortly after she was hired 34 years ago. “We will all greatly miss his daily presence and the smiling face of our friend.”

Vernon and his wife Judy, who will celebrate their 38th anniversary next month, have raised their two sons, David and Paul, in Decatur and have a heart for the community. They have been very involved in the Decatur Assembly of God Church, where Austin served as a deacon, secretary-treasurer and Sunday school teacher.

He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Decatur School Board, Gravette Hospital Board, Northwest Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute Board and Decatur United Way.

He was president of Peterson Industries for a time and also served as president of the Decatur Booster Club and president of Decatur Youth Sports. He has also been very involved in helping the county Cooperative Extension Service office with the Farm Family of the Year program.

Austin said he dreamed of being a coach since grade school and played baseball and basketball in high school and for John Brown University. His love of sports has followed him throughout his life. He has refereed and umpired sports for many years and is a longtime booster for John Brown University and the University of Arkansas.

Although his activities will be limited by his health, Austin said he is planning to travel somein his retirement and enjoy hanging around the farm and spending more time with his wife.

News, Pages 3 on 05/18/2011