Description/Transcription
Obituary of James David Avis IV
(C. Avis Catalog entry #675)
(C. Avis Catalog entry #675)
Times-Record-News
Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Jim Avis
Henrietta, Texas- Jim Avis, 59, of Henrietta, Texas passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at his residence.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Wichita Falls at 4:00 pm Friday, January 21, 2011 with Dr. Ike Butterworth officiating. A celebration of Jim's life will be held immediately following the service at 2108 Berkeley, Wichita Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta, Texas.
James David Avis IV (Jim) was born to James David Avis III (J.D) and Billie Mae Culwell Avis on August 31, 1951 in Wichita Falls, TX. He was raised on the Avis Ranch in Clay, County. Jim attended schools in the Henrietta ISD and graduated with honors from Henrietta High School in 1969. He then attended Texas Tech University and received a degree in Crop Science in 1973. He also received a Master in Science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1977.
Jim's professional career began immediately after receiving his Masters working for Northup King Seed Company as an Off Station Research Agronomist, specializing in soybeans, sunflowers, and small grains. In 1979 he returned to OSU as a Senior Station Superintended for both the Cotton Research Station in Chickasha and the Peanut Research Station at Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. In 1984 he returned to the Avis Ranch as a herdsman, cowboy, farmer, tax accountant, and manure shoveler until 1998. In 1998 Jim and his wife Jill began the Lazy Nines' Ranch (the name of the Avis Family cattle brand registered in the 1880's) Jim worked every day until the day of his second tragic accident on the ranch which took his life on January 13, 2011. Jim worked despite losing both his arm above the elbow in a farming accident in July 1998.
He relied on "after market equipment" arms and his wife to keep doing what he loved which was planting seed and watching it grow to feed the cattle that had been the business of the family for five generations.
Jim married Jill Eckert on May 24, 1986 - she an old maid and he an old bachelor. In July of 1989, two foster children rounded out their family and they officially adopted sister and brother Ashley and Ken on May 24, 1990. In 1999 the family moved to the home they designed and had built on the land of the Lazy Nines Ranch. Jim's dream was to have an earth sheltered home to conserve energy and be more storm proof. Rain water recovery and more energy and other conservation of resources were in the plan for the future.
Jim was a lifelong member, Elder, and Deacon of First Presbyterian Church. He also was active in the Clay County Historical Society, and served on various committees with the Clay County Extension Service. He also supported his wife's multiple volunteer activities. One he most enjoyed was working with the International Friendship Committee of the Junior League in sponsorship of the German Air Force Squadron of the E.N.J.J.P.T. program at Sheppard Air Force Base. Friendships made allowed Jim and Jill to travel to Germany in 1993 and those friendships are still cherished.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jill and they would have celebrated their 25th anniversary this coming May, his two children; Ashley Avis Kittle and husband Rob, and Ken Avis all of Henrietta, Texas; three grandchildren, Abigail, Ethan and Kayden; two sisters, Ann Avis Parkey and husband Jack of Dundee, Texas and Carol Avis Griffin and husband Fred of Dallas, Texas; one uncle, Buck Miller of Dallas, Texas; cherished nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and a very close group of cousins; his beloved pet Topsy, "sweetie pie".
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Clay County Historical Society, First Presbyterian Church, Clay County Senior Citizens, River Bend Nature Center, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.davisfuneralhome.net
The link to the news story of the accident (1/13/11):
http://texomashomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=114026&shr=addthis
[no longer works]
The link to the news story of the accident (1/13/11):
http://texomashomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=114026&shr=addthis
[no longer works]