Raymond S Avery

Raymond Samuel Avery, 79, of Lakeport, went home to be with the Lord very suddenly on Friday, July 10, 2015.

He was born September 23, 1935 in Santa Barbara, California to the late Reverend G.C. and Rita Avery who were missionaries in the West Indies and Peru. After attending school in California, he moved to Croswell, Michigan where he met the love of his life, Madeline Keener.

Ray served in the Naval Reserve and was discharged in 1953. From there he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was assigned to a post in Germany during the Korean War. He was very proud to be a veteran and serve his country.

Ray and Madeline married in 1954 and he enjoyed 61 years with “his Angel” whom he loved so deeply and passionately.

He was employed with the Port Huron Times Herald for 20 years. During this time he and Madeline also owned and operated Avery Photography for 15 years. Next, they moved to Arizona where Ray worked for Dillard’s Department Store where he was the Advertising and Production Manager until his retirement in 1997. From there they returned to the Port Huron Area where he enjoyed his retirement with his family.

He was an active member of Colonial Woods Missionary Church. He loved the Lord God with all of his heart. His greatest desire in life was for everyone to know the depth of love the Lord has for everyone. No matter where you are in life, when you think no one else cares, God does; and He loves you deeply. Please remember this always, from someone who knows.

He is survived by his wife, Madeline; daughters who he called “his little helicopters" and son-in-laws whom he was proud of, Pamela (Louis) Gostinger and Trish (Konrad) Swenson; his grandsons that he loved deeply, Kyle and Tyler Gostinger, Austin and Spencer Swenson; along with his sister-in-laws; brother-in-law; several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Max; and infant sister, Evelyn.

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Wednesday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, July 16, 2015 in Colonial Woods Missionary Church with visitation from 10:00 am. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the Veterans Honor Guard Alliance. Inurnment will be in Allied Veterans Cemetery Columbarium.

Memorials may be made to Colonial Woods Missionary Church or Pets for Vets.