Columbus Joseph Augustus Jr., aka CJ, Bird, and Paw-Paw, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 19, 1944.

He was raised in Waveland, Mississippi and attended St. Rose De Lima Catholic School, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. After graduating in 1963 he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and proudly served seven years.

In August 1970, he received an Honorable Discharge. Upon his discharge, he decided to move to California where he lived for the next 35 years. He was employed as a Painter Foreman for 25 years at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, in Long Beach, California.

After retirement, he moved back to Waveland, Mississippi in 2001. He reunited with the family church St. Rose De Lima. He became an active member of The Knights of Peter Claver, the largest and oldest Black Catholic lay-led organization.

If you knew CJ, you knew he loved life and spending quality time with family and friends. He often said, "If I have room in my heart, I have room in my home". He loved all sports but he was an avid Lakers and Saints fan. CJ had a life well lived.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents Columbus Sr. and Yvonne Meggs Augustus, and two sisters Cynthia Augustus Cain and Myrtle Augustus McDowell.

He leaves precious memories to be cherished by his loving soulmate of 33 years Elaine Cousin; his sister Jean Dorsey; his children; Columbus J. Bradley, Kristal Augustus Clark, Christopher J. (Shannan) Augustus, Vincent Augustus, step-son Casey Cousin III; 8-grandchildren, Chris, Chris Jr, Destinee, Kaylyn, Jasmin, Vianna, Vincent Jr., and Violet Rosegold; his very special nieces the Cain & Dorsey sisters, his nephews Ricardo McDowell and the Dorsey brothers, four devoted and loving cousins Floren (Butch) Dedeaux, Reba Labat Lawson, Patrika Harris Hardnett, Monica Cain Holland and a host of family and friends.