CA123

Obituary of James David Avis
Wichita Daily Times 9-30-1935 p. 1
(C. Avis Catalog entry #123)

(Document ID # 513)

J. D. Avis, one of Wichita Falls' foremost pioneers, died at his home, 1318 Tenth street late Sunday afternoon after being in ill health for several months.

Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian church at 4 O'clock Tuesday afternoon with W. M. McGregor, Ed Howard, Frank Collier, W. U. McCutchen, Fred Weeks and Harry Weeks as pallbearers.

Dr. George P. Horst, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate and burial will be in Riverside under direction of the Merkle Undertaking company. Masonic lodge, No. 635, A. F. and A. M., will be in charge of the services at the grave. All Master Masons will meet at lodge quarters at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon to go to the church together. The body was taken to the Avis home at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon and will be there until 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Avis, the first white born in the town of Montague, was 74 years old. Although he has been in ill health, his death was a distinct shock to his many friends in this section of Texas.

Survivors are his widow; three sons, F. P. Davis and J. D. Avis Jr., of Wichita Falls, and Jake Avis of Austin; four daughters, Mrs. T. U. McCutchen of Wichita Falls, Mrs. W. F. Weeks of Tyler, Mrs. Harry S. Baum of Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Ralph Dunkelberg of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a brother, F. M. Avis of California, and two sisters, Mrs. S. H. Hodges of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. T. M. Palmer of Hereford. A fourth son, Robert Avis, died four years ago.

Cattleman and Rancher

Throughout his life, Mr. Avis was known primarily as a cattleman and rancher, although he was active in many civic and fraternal enterprises during the 50 years he resided in Wichita Falls.

Twenty five years ago he served on the board of aldermen here and later as a member of the county commissioners court. Too, he filled two terms as a member of the Texas legislature, where his work was regarded as sound and of benefit to his district.

He was born in Montague Aug. 13, 1861, and spent his early life there, coming to Wichita Falls in 1885 after marrying Miss Mineola Bush at Montague. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary March 1, 1935.

During his residence here, Mr. Avis devoted himself to the operation of his ranching interests in Wichita county and adjoining counties, becoming known throughout this area as a pioneer rancher and as a representative of the best citizenship among the early builders of North Texas.

Mr. Avis was a member of the first Presbyterian church here for many years. He was one of the original stockholders of the Times Publishing company.

Masonic Honors

In addition to his service on the governing bodies of his city, county and state, Mr. Avis devoted much of his time and attention during, his life to the work of the Masonic order. He was a 33rd degree Mason, a life member of Wichita Falls lodge No. 635 and a member of the executive committee on education and service for the Masonic grand lodge of Texas. For his work in Masonry, he received many honors. George Lawler, secretary of lodge No, 636, Sunday night said of his service:

"We knew him as a man true as steel to his friends and, more especially, a brother Mason. We knew that he was a good Mason, a good man, and worthy of all the honors that came to him in Masonry."

Mr. Avis was raised to the degree of a Master Mason in Montague lodge No. 415, A. F. and A. M., on Feb. 9, 1884. He affiliated with Wichita Falls lodge No. 635 on May 19, 1893, and subsequently became a life member of that lodge. He served as master of the lodge in 1907.

In the early days of Wichita Falls, members of the lodge recalled, the Wichita Falls lodge had a small membership and, because of economic conditions, had difficulty in holding its charter. On more than one occasion Mr. Avis and others waded in water kneedeep to attend lodge meetings in order to make a quorum and hold the lodge charter.

During this time Mr. Avis also went to many of the surrounding towns in this section and assisted in conferring degrees. Travel then was by buggy, hack or horseback. Many times Mr. Avis would work most of the night in the lodge ceremonies of neighboring town, then return to Wichita Falls the same night, often reaching home after daylight.

First Grand Lodge Meet

Mr. Avis attended the first grand lodge meeting in Waco. He was raised to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Wichita Falls on April 17, 1894, and served as high priest in 1906. He was active in the chapter work and carried a certificate for many years.

Mr. Avis was "hailed and greeted Royal and Select Masters, in 1894, the same year he took the Chapter, and before the Chapter and Council were made separate bodies. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master of the Wichita Falls Council in 1906. He served the proper time in the various offices in the Grand Council of Texas and in 1923 was elevated to Most Illustrious Grand Master, the highest office in the order.

Mr. Avis received the orders of knighthood in Vernon Commandery No. 33, Knights Templar, more than 30 years ago, and when Wichita Falls Commandery No. 59 was organized in 1911, he was one of its charter members. In 1928 he was made commander of the order.

The Scottish Rite degrees were conferred on Mr. Avis many years ago at Dallas. He took the Shrine in Hella temple, Dallas, later affiliated with Moslah temple at Fort Worth and when Wichita Falls organized a temple, he was one of the first members.

Mr. Avis was a 33rd degree, I. G. H., of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was a past D.D.G.M. of the 88th Masonic district and past G. V. for the Council and Chapter.