[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN AVERY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to 
the late John E. Avery, who was a valued and respected member of the 
Honey Grove, TX, community until his death on July 2 at the age of 87. 
Mr. Avery spent virtually his entire lifetime in Honey Grove and nearby 
Dial, where he was born and attended school and church.
  The only time he left the Honey Grove area was to serve his country 
during World War II. He served as a sergeant in the 865th Squadron of 
the 494th Bomb Group of the U.S. Air Force. Following the war, he 
returned to Honey Grove, married Pauline Wishard and devoted the 
remainder of his life to his community.
  Mr. Avery served as Fannin County commissioner of Precinct 3 for 20 
years, from 1948 to 1952 and from 1961 to 1976. In recognition of his 
outstanding service, he received the Road Hand Award from the Texas 
Department of Highways and Public Transportation. In 1969 he was named 
Outstanding Citizen of Honey Grove.
  Mr. Avery was a member of the Texas Historical Commission for 20 
years. He was a member of the North Texas Tuberculosis Association, the 
Honey Grove Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association for Fannin 
County, Friends of the Sam Rayburn Library, and Friends of Bertha Voyer 
Library. He was vice president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association and 
the Northeast Texas Resources Conservation and Development Association.
  In addition, Mr. Avery was a member of the Disabled American 
Veterans, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also an 
elder at the Dial Presbyterian Church.
  He is survived by his wife, Pauline; daughter and son-in-law, Mary 
Alice and Steve Glover of Paris; two granddaughters, Allison and Amanda 
Glover; one sister, Lena Smith of Paris; and other relatives. I visited 
with Pauline just last week, and I will miss the many visits and 
telephone calls that John and I enjoyed.
  John Avery will be missed by his family and many friends in Honey 
Grove and Dial, but he leaves behind a legacy of devotion and service 
that will be remembered for many years to come. Mr. Speaker, it was a 
privilege to know this outstanding citizen of the fourth district of 
Texas, and it is a privilege for me to pay my last respect to him 
today.

                          ____________________