FULL OBITUARIES
JOE AVERY
Joe Avery, 71 of El Dorado, passed away Friday, March 6, 2020 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House. He was born May 2, 1948 in El Dorado, AR, the son of the late Alton and Dorothy Avery.
He was a graduate of El Dorado High School and Eaton Barber College. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he owned and operated Avery Barber Shop in El Dorado for over 40 years. Joe was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. His favorite hobbies were fishing, hunting and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marilyn Perdue Avery; son, Jeff Avery and wife Nikki of El Dorado; and grandchildren, Brett Avery (Hanna) and Jana Avery. Also surviving are brothers, Glen Avery (Elizabeth) of Silsbee, TX, Alan Avery (Cathy) of El Dorado and Ted Avery of Hot Springs, AR; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Young’s.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Bro. Don Parks officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to the John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730, or the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1942 N. Wyatt, El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
GUY JACKSON (JACK) SHERRILL
Guy Jackson (Jack) Sherrill, Col. (Ret-USAF) flew west Thursday morning, Feb. 27th from Hot Springs, AR on his final mission, to be with our Lord.
Jack was born February 21, 1927, in Vinita, OK to Nina M. (Boyd) and Guy Sherrill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his older sister Katherine and wife of over 60 years, Bet- ty Lou (Bryan) Sherrill. He is survived by his wife Jacquelyn Sue Sherrill; his three sons, Bryan and Jane Victoria-Sherrill of El Dorado, AR, David Sherrill of O’Fallon, MO and Bill and Nga Sherrill of Parker, CO, and four grandchildren.
Jack spent his early years in Alexandria, Louisiana, and on the family farm in Cheneyville, until he joined the Army near the end of WW II. He found his true calling with the Air Force after graduating from LSU. He qualified and went on to flight school, becoming a fighter pilot. He was assigned to Texas A&M University in the early 60’s, earning his Aeronautical Engineering Degree, and continued to serve honorably for nearly 30 years, from WW II to The Korean Conflict and eventually Southeast Asia. He achieved Command Pilot status and earned numerous awards and commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The highlight of his military career was serving as the F105 Wild Weasel Squadron Commander of the 44th TFS at Korat RTAFB in Thailand from March 1968 to March 1969. He said about Southeast Asia that he had trained all his life for the opportunity. It was his duty, his honor, and his privilege to fly combat. His greatest achievement, he felt, was not the 125 missions he flew over North Vietnam, but that during his tenure as Commander, he never lost an airman to enemy fire.
He retired in 1973 in Shreveport, LA., beginning his second career with Louisiana Industries. He relocated to Alexandria, where he was an active volunteer with Boy Scouts of America and served as Fixed Base Operator at Esler Field north of Alexandria.
After retiring to Hot Springs Village nearly 25 years ago, Jack was very active with the local Rotary Club and VFW. He also taught, for nearly 10 years, “55 Alive” to residents of The Village, each class always prefaced with a Cajun joke or two. Jack was one of the founders of All Saints Anglican Church in Hot Springs Village. Jack’s travels were frequent and widespread, but he was always happy to be home in the village.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday March 14, 2020 at All Saints Anglican Church in Hot Springs Village.
Guests may register www.caruth-hale.com.