Jack Wayne Avant was born on August, 1, 1938 in Whiteville, N.C. to the late Rufus and Mary Alma Martin Avant. He passed away at his home on Thursday, June 28, 2018.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 9, 1957 and proudly served his country retiring after twenty years of faithful service. His military career included a tour in Vietnam for 18 months, in 1967 – 1968 during Tex Offence and also served a tour in Philippines in 1963. Jack was one of the first servicemen assigned to weld on aircraft, a trade that he continued throughout his military career. After retiring, he then dedicated another 14 years of Civil Service work with the same unit. He was an accomplished welder which earned him many awards. Jack was nominated safety civilian of the year for all of his hard work and dedication to his service. He always gave 150%.

During his time in Anchorage, AK, Jack also owned and operated his own business, Cheechako Welding. After retiring from Civil Service, Jack moved to Caledonia, MS and together with his longtime friend Roy Loftan, he began to establish his farm, first raising goats and then later raising cows. Keeping busy, Jack also drove a school bus for the Lowndes County School District. Jack was an avid farmer often seen in the fields on his tractor cutting and baling hay for many of his neighbors in Lowndes County.

Jack loved to stay busy, waking up early each morning to go out and check on "his girls" in the pasture. He retired from cutting and baling hay earlier this year, but continued to work in his shop restoring cars and welding for his friends.

Jack was an active member of New Salem Baptist Church and enjoyed many friends in the area.

Jack is survived by his wife- Sheila; two brothers- Clayton (Janie) Avant of Thomasville, N.C., James (Jenny) Avant of El Paso, TX; sister- Carolyn (Don) Hamilton of Blarisville, GA. Jack's greatest joy were his four daughters- Melody (Brede) Emtman of Eagle River, AK, Rebecca (John) Hardy of Wasilla, AK, Laura (Scott) Hancock of Anchorage, AK, Marlene Lammers of Castle Rock, CO; two step-sons- John (Kim) Frederick of Portland, OR, Mark (Donna) Frederick of Santa Monica, CA; thirteen grandchildren- Cory (Tiffany) Weiss of Vancouver, WA, Renee (Edgar) Bergeron of Anchorage, AK, Justin Fox of Anchorage, AK, Paige Humphreys of Anchorage, AK, Max (Cheylynn) Hardy of Wasilla, AK, Amanda (Joshua) Lamb of Shreveport, LA, Megan Willard or Anchorage, AK, Brittany (Joshua) Saxon of Palmer, AK, Kyle Willard of Anchorage, AK, Noah Willard of Anchorage, AK, Kourtnei Lammers of Castle Rock, CO, Brooke Lammers of Castle Rock, CO and John Frederick of Portland, OR; eleven great-grandchildren- Amber Ryan of Anchorage, AK, Caleb Bergeron of Anchorage, AK, Logan Weiss of Vancouver, WA, Evelyn, Charlotte, Trent and Florence Lamb of Shreveport, LA, Chevy Fox of Anchorage, AK, River Jean and Cove Saxon of Palmer, AK, and Averie Magnuson of Castle Rock, CO.

Our hearts are broken at the loss of our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and appreciate all those who have reached out to us with loving thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Per our father's wishes a private service is being held and a military service will be held to honor him in Anchorage, AK.