Robert Clark Avery, Sr. was born September 15, 1927 and was raised in upstate New York.
He joined the U.S. Navy November 1945 and served one year active duty aboard the USS LST 323 and USS Lioba AF 36. He was recalled April 1951 during the Korean War and served 2 years on the Destroyer USS Stribling DD 867 making 2 deployments to the Mediterranean area. He was discharged in April 1953. He attended the New York Institute of Photography and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Bob was employed by the Eastman Kodak Company. He was a Technical Sales Representative in the Varifax copier market early in his career. He also worked at Kodak Park in Rochester NY. Later in his career he was a Technical Sales Representative in the Printing division. He worked with Kodak dealers in the southeastern states. Bob retired from Eastman Kodak in 1983 after 32 years of service.
Bob was active with the Assemblies of God in the Royal Ranger boy’s ministry as District Commander of the state of North Carolina 1984 – 1985 and was North Carolina Men’s Ministries Director 1985 – 1987.
He was married to Alice G. Harrell Avery in 1952 until her death in 1981. They had two sons, Robert Clark Avery Jr. and Paul Harrison Avery.
He was a member of River Oak Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.
He was best known as Bob Avery. Bob loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and looked forward to being with Him on his departure from this earth. That is where he is now and we who are still here rejoice with Bob and look forward to being together with him in Heaven.
Bob is survived by his wife Anita Trotman Avery, his sons, Robert and wife Lisa, Paul and wife Lisa, two grandchildren, Brian Clark Avery and Holly Nicole Avery and niece Julie Avery Gielow. Bob’s sons and grandchildren were his pride and joy and he loved them deeply. Bob is also survived by a large family of step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he shared with Anita all who dearly loved him.
He is preceded in death by his brother, John Minor Avery and wife Pat.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at Noon on Saturday, February 29 at Oman Funeral Home in Chesapeake. A reception will immediately follow also at Oman Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, March 1 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Colerain, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to River Oak Church in memory of Bob.