Petersburg Pilot -

Jeffrey (Jeff) Lin Avery, 57 passed away suddenly while visiting family in Boise, Idaho on April 12, 2015.

Jeff was born in Council, Idaho on August 14, 1957. He lived a few years in Boise and then moved to Petersburg, Alaska with his family in 1966.

While attending school in Petersburg, Jeff wrestled on the wrestling team and also played saxophone in the high school band. Jeff graduated from Petersburg High in 1975.

After graduation, Jeff went to work as an oiler/ mechanic on the Alaska Pipeline. Jeff eventually moved to Kotzebue, Alaska. While there, Jeff met and married Jacqueline (Jackie) M. Nelson and adopted her first born son Jason Corey Avery. Jeff and Jackie later had two children together, Matthew Kale Avery and Tiffany Joyce (Marino) Avery.

Later in Arizona, Jeff met and married Christine (Powers) Avery and eventually moved back to Alaska in 1998 where he lived for his remaining years.

Jeff was a dedicated father and also mentored many of his children's friends. He was fun-loving and a known prankster. Jeff interests were flying, hunting, fishing, golfing, cooking, and he loved to barbecue for friends and family. Jeff had a great love for animals, especially dogs. He was an accomplished and sought after heavy equipment mechanic throughout his life. Jeff also held an A&P Mechanics license and was celebrated for finishing in the top percentile of his class.

Jeff is preceded in death by his grandparents, and uncles James and Gene Avery.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Christine Avery, his children Jason, Matthew and Tiffany, four grandchildren, Tiffany and Jaylyn Avery, Jake Mason and Corey Marino, his parents William (Bill) Avery, Corinna (Joyce) Avery, his sisters Susan (Avery) Altig and Sally Avery, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A service was held in Boise at the Cloverdale Funeral Home on April 16, 2015.

There will be a celebration of life for Jeff in Alaska at a later date.