Harold David Avery

On Dec. 10, 2020, the world lost a good man. Harold David Avery was born in Whitefish to Harold W. and Mary Hunt Avery, joining an older brother, Bruce.

His family always called him David, but he would earn many names over his lifetime: Dad, Grandpa and Uncle Dave. He often said, call him whatever you would like, “Just don‘t call him late for dinner.” He would spend most of his formative years in Whitefish before he and his mother moved to Spokane, Wash. As a teenager, he graduated from Roger’s High School. After his school years, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He would humbly speak little of his years in uniform, although he was proud to have served his country.

Adulthood brought laborers’ work and the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), of which he was made training director. He had a lifelong career with the union and was honored with the naming of a training center in Kingston, Wash., after him.

He married his wife, Nancy, in Spokane and inherited two children with that union: Kim and Ray. He and Nancy would also have a daughter of their own: Heather. Later in life they would take on the raising of their grandsons: Brandon, Aaron and Jordan. Heather blessed them with the addition of a granddaughter, Tiffany, who was the apple of her grandfather’s eye. He was present when she took her first breath and she was with him when he took his last.

He spent many years in Ocean Shores, Wash., but his retirement plan was always to move back to Montana. Harold and Nancy had gone their separate ways and he would move to Libby to be nearer to his brother. His remaining years were spent enjoying the beauty of his beloved Montana, and sharing stories with family and friends. The two brothers shared a special bond. They enjoyed being closer to one another in their later years.

Harold always loved dogs and greatly enjoyed the companionship of his four-legged friends. When his beloved Puppers met his end, Harold announced that he was going to the shelter to adopt a dog. It would be a small dog as he missed having one in the house. He came home instead with a 100-pound moose of a dog.

Asked about the change of heart, Harold said the dog came with a story. After he heard it, he said, “I had to take him, who else would have him?”

They turned out to be wonderful, gentle and loving companions for each other in his last years. Harold named him Friend.

His son, Ray, joined him three years ago to help navigate all the chores of home and yard. Together, they enjoy one another’s company. They loved watching football, most especially the Seahawks. Ray was his tireless companion and loving caregiver, and he was much appreciated by his dad.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children, Kim, Ray and Heather; his grandchildren, Brandon, Aaron, Jordan and Tiffany; his brother, Bruce; nieces, Tammy and Shannon.

No services are planned for the public.