James Avery Bertrand Sr.

Avery fell in love early in life with not only his high school sweetheart, but also his love of the outdoors. While he enjoyed his years as a petroleum chemist in the United States Army, he was even more overjoyed to be able to return to his hometown when his service time ended. He was so excited to bring his family back home from Virginia to Vidor, Texas. Family meant everything to Avery. He wanted nothing more than to be close to his siblings and home town. His favorite pastimes were spending time with his family, fishing, tinkering around outside, gardening, and building up his chicken farm hobby. Avery was a "walking encyclopedia." He always knew the answer to any question asked and if he didn't, he rejoiced in a learning opportunity because he always felt that knowledge is power. That knowledge helped out more people than we can count. Avery was always there when anyone needed help, be they family, friend, or stranger. His knowledge from being on the water as a tugboat hand, to his time as an electrician and all around jack of all trades, brought him into relationships with additional family outside of his own. Indeed, Avery considered all his friends an extended family. But, out of all of his amazing accomplishments in life, the ones he was most proud of are his two children, Madison and James. Every single day he made sure to brag and acknowledge their accomplishments to anyone and everyone that would listen. His only wish is for them to be the best at what they love in life and he encouraged the things they were interested in to focus on towards future career paths. He would repeatedly tell everyone that he succeeded in life by raising two wonderful, smart, creative, caring humans. Avery will be missed by all those who loved and knew him.