Avery R. Downing

Avery was an interesting and humerous storyteller. He would tell many and varied stories about his boyhood days on the farm and about his fellow officers and men under his Command during the War. Always upbeat. I never heard him speak ill of anyone. Here's the story he would tell after introducing me as his Son In Law: During the Summer of '48, after teaching an Education Class at East Texas State, THIS boy came up to me, introduced himself and tried to esablish a relationship. Our...

Grandparents make many allowances for their grand children. Avery and Ann were great! My list of everything they did for me is endless. I would like to tell one tale that eveyone who knew them will understand the great sacrifice. One summer I was home from college and wanted to stay with them. I wanted to bring my dog. Avery and Ann never had any pets. Bobbie was never allowed a pet. Well, they let me bring Spiffee. She stayed in the garage. That garage was cleaner than most people's homes....

I love you, Abbiedaddy!!

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

I have very fond memories of Mr. Downing. He lived across the street from me during the 1970s to early 1980s. I remembered how he kept such a beautiful lawn and always took great pride in everything. He was certainly a great role model and wonderful neighbor. During my first few years of school, he encouraged me to enroll in a summer program at Baylor University which really broadened my knowledge and helped prepare me for the future. I wrote him a few times when I discovered he was...