Eugene Philip "Gene" Avery

1929 - 2023

Eugene "Gene" Philip Avery

Edmonton, KY - Eugene "Gene" Philip Avery, age 94, passed away peacefully on October 20 at his home in Edmonton, KY surrounded by his loving family. Gene was a native of Concord, son of Alta Avery and Hollon C. Avery. He graduated from Concord High School in 1947 and joined the U.S. Army-Airborne where he served as air traffic controller in Germany supporting the Berlin Air Lift.

Following his return from the Air Force, Gene married his sweetheart Constance Faye Farnum of Bow. Together they moved to Bristol, CT where he began his lengthy career in the printing industry, culminating as Plant Manager of New England Printing. Following his retirement, Gene and his family relocated to Edmonton, Kentucky where he built their home, farm buildings and began his life as a gentleman farmer. This was the happiest time of his life.

Throughout his life and in every aspect, Gene was passionate about learning. This included certificates as a volunteer firefighter and State Arborist certification in his home community of Plymouth, CT, printing to Plant Management courses in his career development, 4-H Shooting Sports Coach in his youth volunteer work and in his retirement years, KY Master Cattleman and Master Logger among many others. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and reading, with an extensive library on the Civil War.

Gene was a 60-year member of the Masons, having served as Past Master and Secretary of Edmonton Lodge #931 where in 2020 he received an award as Master of Community Outreach. As one of the Charter Members, Gene served for many years as the Adjutant of the Metcalfe County American Legion Post. Gene was awarded the honored title of "Kentucky Colonel" and was a past recipient of The Hometown Hero Award presented by WBKO-TV of Bowling Green, KY, honoring the many contributions he had made in his community.

In addition to his parents, Gene was predeceased in 2018 by his loving wife Connie (Farnum) Avery, his brothers Hollon "Bob" Avery, Kenneth Avery, Grant Avery and his sister Marilyn (Avery) Foster.

Gene is survived by his sons Dean and David Avery, daughter Lynn and husband Jimmie Blankenship, all of Edmonton, KY; his grandson Daniel, his wife Elizabeth and their three sons Isaac and Andrew of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Matthew Avery, of Papillion, Nebraska, his sister Carole (Avery) Milliken of Concord and many nephews and nieces, many of whom are of the greater Concord area.

Following his cremation, a Masonic Service was held on October 31 at the Edmonton, KY Lodge. Gene and Connie were active members of the Edmonton Methodist Church where a memorial brunch was held in their memory. In the Spring a memorial service will be held when his ashes, along with Connie's, will be buried on the farm they loved in Edmonton, KY.