Place: Shoal Creek Saloon
Address: 909 North Lamar Blvd., Austin
When: Sunday, August 24, 2014
Hours: 4-6 p.m.
John Muir at 2009 reunion of the 12th Street Law Office, an Austin movement law collective. Photo by Carlos Lowry / The Rag Blog.
AUSTIN — Friends of John H. Muir will gather at Shoal Creek Saloon on Sunday, August 24, to remember him and celebrate his life. The Melancholy Ramblers will provide music.
John was a long-time Austin resident and social justice activist, widely-known and well-loved. He died of natural causes in his home on June 23, 2014, at the age of 68.
John Muir graduated from St. Mark’s School in Dallas, attended Columbia University in New York from 1964-1966, and the University of Texas at Austin from 1968-1969.
His life was distinguished by his involvement with civil rights and social justice causes. While working with the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, John was one of 16 people arrested by the Texas Rangers for picketing a train hauling non-union produce. He was involved with Austin community television, served as an aide to several progressive state legislators, and managed Austin’s legendary Raw Deal restaurant.
For many years, John worked for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA), a nonprofit that provides free legal assistance to many low-income Texans.
John H. Muir’s full obituary can be found here. Contributions in his memory can be made to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid or Hospice Austin.
This piece and John’s obituary are beautifully and knowledgeably written; I’m glad to learn of so many wonderful deeds by this dear old friend! He was never one to brag on his own accomplishments.
It might should be said that in addition to all of his fine work in many good causes and organizations, John Muir loved music, was a willing dancer, and definitely knew how to have a good time. His rather mischievous smile was a sure sign that a good party was underway. He will be missed in a lot of quarters.
In 1973, John and I left Austin– in Benjamin, my old truck– heading east. I was moving the NJ and he was going (I think) to DC. When we hit Nashville, he said let’s go to the Opry. We drove up to the old Ryman Auditorium and he ran inside. “We’re sold out six months in advance,” they told him. So we kept on truckin’. Sad to hear this news.