David Austin Roses Mourns the Passing of David J. C. Austin
July 23, 2026 
David J. C. Austin. | David Austin Roses
David Austin Roses has shared that David J. C. Austin has died at his Shropshire home, surrounded by his family. He had been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and incurable neurological condition.
David joined the family business in Albrighton, Shropshire, in 1990, as his father, the late David C. H. Austin, was gaining wider recognition for his work in breeding English Roses. He went on to lead the business for more than three decades, driving its growth and transformation from a specialist nursery into a globally recognized name among rose lovers.
David’s children, Richard, James and Olivia, said:
“First and foremost, Dad was a gardener. That was at the heart of who he was. He carried our grandfather’s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always putting the roses, the family business, and its people before himself. He was kind and modest, with a playful spirit, a sense of adventure, and a real enjoyment of life. He faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he brought to life. Above all, he was our Dad, and words cannot express how much we will miss him. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”
David Austin Roses continues under its experienced leadership team, working closely with the next generation of the Austin family, and is as committed as ever to serving its partners and rose lovers around the world.
Subscribe to eNewsletter
