A. W. "Jake" Avis eulogy by Zollie Steakley
(C. Avis Catalog entry #742)
Funeral Eulogy
A. W. "Jake" Avis
Judge Zollie Steakley
March 17, 1976
You and I are here as friends of Jake and Gladys Avis to join our hearts with her, and Mart, and Charles, and their loved ones, in honoring Jake's memory, and in appreciation for the relationship we have known with him during our years together. I am your spokesman because Jake and Gladys wanted it to be so. You must know the sense of privilege and sentiment that I feel. Jake and I were such good and warm friends. We go back a long time together. I shall not try to be eloquent or sentimental; Jake would not want this. So I speak simply and sincerely of Jake; of his life and loved ones; of his distinctions as a person.
Jake was born December 1, 1893 in Wichita Falls and was 82 years in this world when he died on last Monday. His church affiliation was Presbyterian in his home town of Wichita Falls. He and Gladys Roberson were married on June 21, 1921.
Their beloved son died some years ago. Since then their earthly devotion has been bestowed in full measure upon Peggy, their daughter-in-law, and her husband Bill Collins; and upon their grandsons, Mart and Charles, and their wives, each of whom they love with all their hearts.
Jake and Gladys came to Austin in 1933 when Jake began his career of 31 years in state government with the Railroad Commission. He was not a bureaucrat and abhorred anyone who was. He felt that one in government should be helpful, not a hindrance; conscientious, not condescending; cooperative, not contentious. So it was that he came to know grand friends: people I knew with him like Jess Rose, Amos Felts, Herbert Smith, Bob Calvert, and countless others all over Texas.
Some may be president, or governor, or commissioner, or judge. But we would not have good government at all without the career men and women whose good works, and faithful service make government and community possible. Jake helped make it so in Texas.
I would speak also of Jake as a person. I knew him so well. We kept saddle horses together during the years since his retirement. How interesting that his two most enjoyable hobbies were flowers and horses. The flowers he planted - like his memory with us will continue to bring joy and beauty in our lives. Gladys selected the red carnations because they were his favorite color and flower.
I have never known one who loved horses more, or who was a finer horseman. How much he did teach me! And how much I learned of him and of those to whom he was devoted, in our countless rides together on horseback. I learned of his love for our state and nation; and of his concern in what seems to be happening to us as a people. How he denounced the forces of lawlessness, and immorality and infidelity that threaten to take us over! How he longed to see the sun of common sense, rationality and decency break thru the dark clouds that hover over us.
But Jake is gone now and the fight for right he has left with us. With Mart and Charles and with you and me. May we be worthy of all who have gone before, and who, like Jake, have made this country better because they have been here.
We say when someone goes away: "There he goes." On the other side of the horizon, another replies: "Here he comes." God in his divine providence said on last Monday, "Jake, it is time for you to leave the physical presence of those who loved you."
When a loved one or a dear friend goes away, a part of us goes with him; but so much of him remains with us forever. So it was with Jake; and so it will be with those of us he left behind. I think Jake would leave these words for us:
"Be such a man, and live such a life, that if every man were such as you, and every life a life like yours, this earth would be God's paradise." (Phillip Brooks)