Thomas Charles Avery

Born in Long Island, New York, he grew up in Atlanta, Georgia as the oldest of five siblings. He graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University in Chemical Engineering and went on to earn his Master of Business Administration Degree from Harvard University in 1968.

After college, he went to work for Lithonia Lighting in Atlanta, Georgia. He eventually became the Senior Sales Manager for the U.S. He built a lasting relationship with Bob Lurie, principal of RC Lurie Company, the Lithonia lighting representative In Phoenix, Arizona. When Bob decided to retire, and was looking for a successor, he gave Tom the opportunity to assume the principal leadership of RC Lurie Company in 1982. RC Lurie won numerous awards which allowed him to travel and visit countries all over the world. His leadership transitioned the RC Lurie Company into one of the most respected commercial lighting agencies in the western United States. Everyone that did business with R.C. Lurie, under his direction, had fond memories of the offices that were located in a historical church in downtown Phoenix.

On a personal level, Tom was an avid golfer and participated in many club and charitable tournaments. It was important to him to give back to his community and he made generous contributions to golf and educational charitable foundations, over the years. In his retirement from RC Lurie, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his wife Rosalie and her four children and spouses; his daughter Dawn, her husband Scott; his siblings Gail, Karen, and Brad and seven grandchildren: Chase, Carissa, Jake, Addison, Mason, Vivienne, and Abigail. He is predeceased by his father, mother, and younger brother Carter.

The family is holding a private service and visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association “In Memory of Thomas Avery.”