John Thomas Avery

John Thomas Avery, known to family and friends as Tom, was born July 22nd, 1936 in

Andersonville, Georgia to VanBuren Avery and Maude Avery. His sister, Lydia Hutchins, passed

away in 1974. As a youth, Tom excelled in athletics, particularly baseball and football. His talent

in football earned him a full scholarship to Furman University, from which he graduated with a

degree in business. His on field performance attracted the attention of the New York Giants

and the Green Bay Packers though he declined to try out for either club.

Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the Army, and served in the Honor Guard at Arlington

National Cemetery. During his years of service he marched in the inaugural parade of President

John F. Kennedy and served as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

After his discharge from the service, Tom worked briefly in the tobacco industry, but due to his

dissatisfaction with this career path he took a position with Roadway Express, beginning his

career in transportation. Over the years he worked for companies such as Ryder Freight Lines,

American Freight, and Ward Trucking, achieving high-level executive positions at these firms. In

1993, Tom founded his own company, Avery International, serving southern California and

parts of Mexico.

Tom married Freda Marie Avery (nee Lebo) in 1969, and they remained married until her death

in 2022. He is survived by his daughters Tara of Desert Hot Springs, CA and Tiffany of Garden

Grove, CA. Tom took an avid interest in physical fitness, particularly enjoying running and

bicycling. He enjoyed both domestic and foreign travel with his wife Freda.

The memorial service for Tom Avery will be held June 25th at 2:30 PM at Pacific View Memorial

Park in Corona Del Mar, CA.