Charles Ray Averett Jr.
April 1, 1928 – December 18, 2022
Charles Ray Averett Jr. passed away on December 18, 2022 in Brigham City, Utah from complications from injuries from a fall.
He was born April 1, 1928 at the home of his grandparents Wilcock in Cowley, Wyoming, to Leona Wilcock and Charles Ray Averett. His father died when he was 8 months of age. His mother remarried Lloyd George Fowler, Sr when he was four years old. The family lived on the farm east of Cowley until he was 12 when the family moved into town. He attended the Cowley schools for 11 years when his parents moved to Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Denver West High School and attended the University of Denver for one year.
Charles served an LDS mission in Hawaii, and in the US Navy during the Korean conflict. Charles graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from BYU. While attending BYU he learned that a former neighbor and classmate from Cowley Wyoming was living in Smithfield Utah with her parents. He visited the family, reuniting his friendship and love for Viola Olson. They were married on June 1, 1956, in the Logan Temple, while Charles was a senior at BYU.
They later moved to River Heights, Utah for a short time and then to Brigham City where he began his teaching career at Bunderson Elementary. Charles and Viola relocated to Bear River City where he briefly taught at the local Elementary school. He was transferred to Box Elder Junior High and moved back to Brigham City. He attended Utah State University at night and during the summer months, receiving his Master’s Degree in General Education.
One of Charles’s favorite expressions was, “Well, I was born on April Fool’s Day, so I can explain my actions. What’s your excuse?” Charles retired from teaching at Box Elder Junior High School in 1986.
Charles and Viola are the parents of five children: Ruth Ann Olsen of Brigham City, Lloyd Olson Averett of Brigham City, Kevin Olson Averett of Brigham City, DeRay Olson Averett (April) of Ogden, and DeVon Olson Averett (Mindy) of Clearfield.
Charles was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a High Priest in the Brigham City 29th Ward. He held positions in every organization of the church, except Relief Society, including executive secretary for two bishops and was an avid temple patron.
Charles is survived by his five children, 18 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents, step-father, a sister, Helen, her husband, Ward Call Low, a brother, Eugene Wilcock Averett, his wife Zella, and second wife Leslie, Clair Wilcock Averett, and his wife Nellie, step-brother, Robert Marshall Fowler, and wife, Audrey, and grandson, Lloyd Olson Averett, Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 11:00am. At the Brigham City 29th Ward 531 North 100 West, Brigham City, UT.
A viewing will be held at the Myers Mortuary 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, UT Tuesday, December 27th from 5:00-7:00pm and Wednesday December 28th at the church prior to the service from 10:00 10:45 a.m.
Interment will follow in the Brigham City Cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.myers-mortuary.com