Reid James Averill's Obituary
AVERILL-Reid, 55, of Collierville, TN died at his home surrounded by friends and family after a year long battle with brain cancer Sunday morning July 26th.He is survived by his wife of 33 years Lori; his children Ashley Dunn (Jason), Brooke Phillips (Wade) and Reid Averill II; his 5 granddaughters Kyleigh Duncan, Ella Dunn, Chloe Dunn, Mya Dunn and Sydney Phillips; his parents Bill and Mary Ann Averill; his siblings, Bill Averill Jr., Debbie McGibboney, Rex Averill and Gregory Averill.Reid was a pilot in the Airforce for 9 years. He flew C-141’s and T-38’s and was a flight instructor. He received 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, 1 Meritorious Service Medal, was the Top Graduate in Pilot Instructor Training and was Instructor Pilot of the Year at Williams AFB 1985. He always referred to his Airforce days as “some of the best times of my life”.He worked at FedEx for the last 20 years as a pilot in the 727, and MD-11. He was also a Flex Instructor and Chief Pilot of the 727.Reid was a teacher. He introduced more than 30 children to aviation through the EAA’s “Young Eagles” program. It might have been on the baseball field, in a plane, or in a simulator, but he was always sharing this talent with his students, friends, and children.Reid was and avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, and fishing, and playing or watching most sports.Of all his accomplishments, Reid will most be remembered for his love of his children and grandchildren. There wasn’t a weekend that passed since his first grandchild, Kyleigh was born almost three years ago, that wasn’t spent playing with one of his girls. They called him Big Reid and looked forward to his visits.The visitation will be held Tuesday, 4-8pm at the Church of the Incarnation, 360 Bray Station Collierville, TN. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 am at the Church of the Incarnation. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or The Church Health Center.
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