C. Richard Avery

C. Richard Avery was born October 8, 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Richard graduated from Furman University where he was president of his social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  After receiving his law degree from Emory University, Richard practiced law in Decatur, Georgia, until moving to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1977.  In Alaska, he served as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Interior and then went on to become an administrative law judge for the State of Alaska and then a state district court judge.  Richard was appointed as an administrative law judge for the U.S. Department of Labor out of the Cincinnati, Ohio office in 1983 and eventually out of the New Orleans office until his retirement in November of 2013.  He was a resident of the Mississippi, Gulf Coast since 1987 and loved its people and lifestyle. Horses and fishing were his favorite past times.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Joan; his children, Bradley and Traci; his stepsons, Jeff and Jerry Mitchell; and his grandchildren, Maggi, Austen and Grace.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone at Notre Dame Hospice and Baycove Memory Cottage. We very much appreciate the care you provided him during his time with you.

Richard wrote:  I was not a religious man in the traditional sense of the word and for that reason requested that much of the usual funeral ritual as we know it to be dispensed with. What I did want, though, was an opportunity to thank all of you for a satisfying life. Because of wives, children, family and friends, I was allowed whether, rightfully or wrongly, to live my life, as I saw fit and for that I thank you – it made all the difference.

There will be no service. At his request, Richard’s remains will be cremated.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

Donations on his behalf can be made to one or all of the following:

St. Jude Children’s Hospital - https://www.stjude.org
Hancock County, MS, SPCA - https://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/79935-humane-society-of-south-mississippi-gulfport-mississippi
The Parkinson’s Foundation - https://www.parkinson.org