Albert Jackson Avant (1925 - 2014)

Born 22 Sep 1925 in Atascosa, Bexar, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 24 Mar 2014 at age 88 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States

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Obituary

Albert Jackson (Jack) Avant September 22, 1925 - March 24, 2014

Albert Jackson (Jack) Avant passed away Monday, March 24th, at the age of 88.

Jack was born September 22, 1925, the third child of George & Virginia Thigpen Avant in Atascosa, TX. He married Lorene Dietrich on May 9, 1948, at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Jack graduated from Somerset High School at the age of 15 & began working for the War Department, San Antonio Arsenal, at the age of 16 as a mechanic’s helper, specifically working on aircraft engines. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp at age 17 on July 20, 1943, & began pilot training, finishing at Luke Field in Phoenix, AZ. With the close of World War II, he was released from service on October 31, 1945, & returned to Kelly Field to work as an airplane mechanic for the Civil Service attached to the Air Force. Working his way up throughout his long 40 year career, he eventually retired as a jet engine specialist in F106’s. Duty stations included Kelly Field (AFB) in San Antonio, Loring AFB in Limestone, ME, George AFB in Victorville, CA, & Richards-Gebaur AFB in Kansas City, MO. During the Korean War, he was recalled to duty on July 9, 1951, & served in Korea as a spotter pilot with the 6147th Tactical Control Group (“Mosquitoes”) until his release on December 9, 1952. For his outstanding service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, & two Air Medals. As a private pilot, Jack enjoyed many years of stunt flying & re-building antique airpplanes until he was forced to stop flying in his late 70’s due to failing eyesight.

Jack is survived by his wife Lorene of San Antonio; his children: Anthony (Wayne) Avant & wife Donna Christoferson Avant of Ovilla, TX; Charles Avant of San Antonio; Virginia (Ginny) Rauth & husband Jeffrey of Dickinson; Joanne Avant & husband David Denney of Driftwood; grandchildren: Travis Avant & wife Eran of Vallejo, CA; Christine (Chrissy) Avant of Burleson; Erin Rauth Goddard & husband Kevin Heard of Houston; Daniel Rauth & wife Christi of Redondo Beach, CA; Jessica Rauth Moore & husband Mace of Little Rock , AR; Catherine (Cassy) Rauth of Houston; great grandchildren: Cutter Vick, Charlotte Goddard, David Goddard, & Suzanne Goddard , & a sister: Vivian Avant of Waterloo, NY.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter in infancy, Susan Avant; 2 brothers, Stanley & Fred Avant, & a sister, Patricia Avant Schoenmaker.

Funeral services for Jack Avant will be Thursday, March 27th, 10AM, in Bethany Lutheran Church, with Rev. Elliot Pancoast officiating. Graveside service & interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation for Jack Avant will be Thursday, March 27th, 9-10AM, at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Bethany Lutheran Church, or the charity of one’s choice.

Research Notes

• 1930 United States Federal Census

Name: Jack Avant Birth Year: abt 1926 [abt 1925] Gender: Male Race: White Birthplace: Texas Marital status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Home in 1930: Precinct 5, Bexar, Texas, USA Map of Home: View Map House Number: 1930 Dwelling Number: 66 Family Number: 73 Attended School: No Father's Birthplace: Texas Mother’s Birthplace: Texas Name: Jack Avant Birth Year: abt 1926 [abt 1925] Gender: Male Race: White Birthplace: Texas Marital status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Home in 1930: Precinct 5, Bexar, Texas, USA Map of Home: View Map House Number: 1930 Dwelling Number: 66 Family Number: 73 Attended School: No Father's Birthplace: Texas Mother's Birthplace: Texas Household Members: Name Age George Avant 40 Virginia Avant 29 Stanley Avant 8 Fred Avant 6 Jack Avant 4 Vivian Avant 2 Gladis Avant 0 ^[1]

• 1940 United States Federal Census

Name: Jack Avant Age: 14 Estimated birth year: abt 1926 Gender: Male Race: White Birthplace: Texas Marital status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Home in 1940: Bexar, Texas Map of Home in 1940: View Map Street: Wheeler Road Inferred Residence in 1935: Sh, Bexar, Texas Residence in 1935: Same House Resident on farm in 1935: Yes Sheet Number: 11B Attended School or College: Yes Highest Grade Completed: High School, 3rd year Weeks Worked in 1939: 0 Income: 0 Income Other Sources: No Household Members: Name Age George L Avant 50 Virgie Avant 39 Stanley Avant 18 Fred Avant 16 Jack Avant 14 Vinian Avant 12 Cladys Avant 10 ^[2]

• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127073447

• U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current

Name: Albert Jackson Avant Gender: Male Death Age: 88 Birth Date: 22 Sep 1925 Birth Place: Atascosa, TX Marriage Date: 9 May 1948 Residence Place: Kelly Field Death Date: 24 Mar 2014 Obituary Date: 25 May 2014 Parents: George Avant; Virginia Thigpen Avant Spouse: Lorene Dietrich Child: Virginia Rauth Charles Avant Anthony Avant Susan Avant Joanne Avant Siblings: Stanley Avant Fred Avant Vivian Avant Patricia Avant Schoenmaker ^[3]

• Texas, Divorce Index, 1968-2014

Name: Albert J Avant Gender: Male Divorce Age: 73 Birth Year: 1926 Marriage Date: 9 May 1949 Divorce Date: 23 Aug 1999 Divorce Place: Bexar, Texas, USA Spouse: Lorene M Avant Number of Children: 0

• Texas, Marriage Index, 1824-2014

Name: Albert J Avant Gender: Male Age: 85 Birth Year: abt 1926 Marriage Date: 3 Mar 2011 Marriage Place: Hays, Texas, USA Spouse: Lorene D Dietrich Spouse Gender: Female Spouse Age: 84

Sources

1. ↑ Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Precinct 5, Bexar, Texas; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0169; FHL microfilm: 2342033
2. ↑ Source Citation: Year: 1940; Census Place: Bexar, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-03986; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 15-24
3. ↑ Source Citation: Publication Date: 25/ May/ 2014; Publication Place: Fredericksburg, Texas, USA; URL: http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2460754&fh_id=11009&s_id=