Austin Lee King-Somma

Today we mourn the loss of our son, Austin King-Somma. Austin lost his battle with addiction August 2, 2020 and we lost a sweet soul. We want to remember him as he was, not as some idealized version. He was a creative, vivacious young man who could make you smile. He loved music. He was always listening to it on his phone, watching it on the stage or creating it on the piano or the ukulele. He could paint you a picture, hum you a made up tune, or just quietly sit by as the two of you watched a scary movie together. We loved that he was a proud gay man who loved going to the Gay Pride march. He was saddened by the cruelty that the world sometime inflicts. He was angry at the world for not understanding him and angry at his parents for not supporting his lifestyle of addiction. And while his addiction made him do things that were not truly him, we never stopped loving him. He could be stubborn, hard headed and full of pain, but more often, was sweet, kind and loving: a gentle giant.

Austin was born December 17, 1995, in Lafayette, Indiana. He will be deeply missed by his parents, David King and Maria Somma, twin brother Aaron King-Somma, great aunt Dolores Somma, cousins Cameron, Caitlyn, Haven, Joshua, Emily, Kent and Teresa and numerous aunts, uncles, and other family both here and in Vietnam.

Because we knew him, we have been changed for good. Service and visitation were held privately by the family. Memorial donations in Austin's name suggested to PERSAD CENTER, 5301 Butler St #100, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. William Slater II Funeral Service, Scott Twp, entrusted with arrangements. www.slaterfuneral.com