02/22/2006
John H. Avery June 1, 1920 – February 22, 2006 ,
John was born in Pella, Iowa, and after growing up in Knoxville, Iowa he made the trip west to attend Stanford University graduating in 1942 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
To serve his country, he became an officer in the Navy upon graduation and while stationed at Sandpoint waiting for orders he met and married his wife, Dottie. After serving in the South Pacific during the war he returned to Seattle where he transferred to a naval reserve squadron at Sandpoint eventually retiring as a Captain.
John and Dottie also started a family and moved to Bellevue where they raised their four children.
In 1946 John started a long career with Boeing where his first assignment was in the original Red Barn. He finished his career working on the 747 program retiring from Boeing in 1984. He loved to travel and his career allowed him to visit many interesting destinations around the world always returning with gifts for his family.
John enjoyed and was extremely proud of his children and especially enjoyed long weekends with his family and friends at their cabin in Klipsan Beach, WA.
Another of Johns favorite pastimes was golf. John and Dottie were Charter members of Sahalee Golf and Country Club and moved to Sahalee in 1977 to enjoy their retirement years. John served on the Sahalee board and eventually became the club president in 1988.
John spent his last years at Emerald Heights where he was attended by a great staff of caregivers. John was a kind and generous gentleman, who was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dottie, of 55 years.
He is survived and will be greatly missed by his children, Jim (Sue), Tom (Linda), Jack (Cheryl), Julie (John Duggan), 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at Sahalee Country Club on March 2, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Evergreen Healthcare Foundation Booth Gardner Parkinsons Care Center by phone 425 899-1900, on-line at www.evergreenhealthcare.org.
Published in The Seattle Times on Feb. 26, 2006