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Avery -- Colonel Charles J. Avery, USAF Retired, a former Vice Commander of the Air Force Weapons Lab at Kirtland AFB and one of the C-47 pilots who began flying what was to become known as the Berlin Airlift, died Saturday, February 3, 2001 at the V.A. Hospital in Albuquerque. Col. Avery was born on August 11, 1923 in Fort Ringgold, TX where his father was an army medical officer with the 12th Cavalry. A graduate of West Point in 1945, he later earned a Master's degree in Nuclear Physics at Ohio State University and taught physics at the newly established Air Force Academy. He spent the latter years of his military career in Research and Development, including an assignment in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff working on the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. After retirement in 1973, he moved to Albuquerque where he worked for ten years as the Air Force representative on the Nuclear Weapons Safety Group at Kirtland. Completely retired in 1985, he enjoyed golf, ham radio, anything electronic and later computers. He was married in 1948 in Berlin, Germany to Frances Sinfield of the American Red Cross. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years; three sons, Scott and wife, Sue, of McLean, VA, Kent and wife, Margie, of Annandale, VA, Chris and fiancé, Terri Ross, of Albuquerque; three grandsons, Matthew, Kyle, and Shane; and a granddaughter, Shannon Bennett. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Charles J. Avery, Jr. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 9, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. in the Kirtland Base Chapel. Funeral Services will take place on Friday, February 23, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. at Ft. Myers Old Chapel, Arlington, VA with full military honors. Burial will follow in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a devoted family man, a beloved grandfather and a man who lived by the West Point creed of Duty, Honor, Country. One of his favorite expressions was the West Point prayer, Lord grant that I always do the harder right than the easier wrong. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to the charity of your choice in Col. Avery's name. Strong-Thorne Mortuary is in charge of local arrangements.
        Published on: Thu February 08, 2001