Philip Shuford Avery

Colonel Philip Shuford Avery, U.S. Army (Ret.), 90, of Athens, Ga., died Tuesday, June 16, 2009, in Athens, Ga. Born in Morganton, on April 6, 1919, Colonel Avery was the son of William Harrison Avery and Addie Warlick Avery, both of Morganton. The Avery family made its home on an historic dairy farm, "Swan Ponds," near Morganton in the foothills of western North Carolina. Colonel Avery graduated from Morganton High School, where he excelled in athletics, serving on both the football and baseball teams of the school. He and his brothers built their own tennis court on their farm as young men, and he enjoyed the sport for many years. He played on numerous tennis leagues throughout his life and was one of the top ranked amateur tennis players in Georgia. Colonel Avery attended North Carolina State University on a full four year football scholarship. During college, he was active in numerous campus interests and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Upon graduation from North Carolina State, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Colonel Avery served his country in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He commanded a combat battalion during the Korean War and served in Vietnam as a senior military advisor. Among his decorations are the Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Greek War Cross, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Legion of Merit. Colonel Avery married Katherine Baskin of Anderson, S.C., in 1945, and enjoyed 64 years of marriage. In conjunction with his military career, Colonel and Mrs. Avery and their children lived throughout the U.S. and in Europe and traveled extensively. Since his retirement in October 1972, the couple has resided in Athens, Ga. A member of First Presbyterian Church of Athens for more than 35 years, Colonel Avery was active in church affairs. He was ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and served on the Session of First Presbyterian. He also served as an ordained deacon in the Presbyterian Church. An avid outdoorsman, Colonel Avery took full advantage of the many local opportunities for hunting and fishing. He devoted hours to caring for his garden and home and his homegrown roses brightened many church functions, hospital rooms and homes. Colonel Avery is survived by his wife, Katherine Baskin Avery of Athens, Ga., originally of Anderson, S.C.; his son, Philip S. Avery II and his wife, Cynthia Hollen, of Charleston, S.C.; his daughter, Katherine Liddell Avery and her fiance, Lewis Clark Bartlett Jr., of Athens, Ga.; two grandchildren, Stefanie Baskin Avery of Portland Ore., and Philip S. Avery III of New York, N.Y., and their mother, Susan "Woodie" Avery of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Colonel Avery was preceded in death by his brothers, Waightstill Avery, Robert Avery and Warlick Avery; and by a sister Elizabeth Avery Verble. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at First Presbyterian Church of Athens. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga. The family will greet friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Athens, St. Mary's Hospice House or the Salvation Army. Lord and Stephens, East Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences at www.lordandstephens.com.