Timothy Avery

Timothy Jon Avery, age 70, of Sand Lake Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on January 9, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children as he ended his journey after a long but heroic battle with cancer.

Tim was born December 18, 1954, to Harry and Betty Avery. He grew up in Grand Rapids MI with his five siblings. He graduated from Godwin High School in 1973. While in high school he met the love of his life Evelyn and they went on to have four children over their 54 years together.

Tim started working in the polishing and buffing industry during high school where he spent years working at Keeler Brass and Grand Rapids Polishing and Buffing. He finally retired in 2024.

If you were ever looking for Tim when he wasn’t at work he could always be found in the garage or many local racetracks where he spent many years racing the #10 with his wife in the pits by his side. He had a passion for tooling around and fixing cars and if you ever had a car issue he would be there to help and give you the Avery guarantee as you drove away. The Avery’s were blessed with five grandkids and recently a great-granddaughter. He was always making sure the kids and grandkids had something to ride around the yard with that had a motor.

While we lost an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle, many have lost a great friend and coworker. He was a friend or family to everyone, and his absence will be greatly felt as we tell stories and remember all the great years, we were lucky enough that he was part of our lives.

Tim was preceded to heaven by his parents Harry and Betty, his brother Todd and his mother-in-law Elsie Bouwman. He is survived by his wife Evelyn; their children Daphne (Dave) Smith, Chasity (Gary) VanderMark, Michelle (David) Denton and Erik (Tina) Avery; their grandchildren Kyle (Cristen) Avery, Courtney VanderMark, Bailey VanderMark, Zoie Denton and Tyler Denton; their great-granddaughter Natalie Avery; siblings Terry (Deb) Avery, Linda Avery, Tom (Connie) Avery and Denny Avery; many nieces and nephews.

At Tim’s request, cremation will take place and he will be brought home to be with his family which was his favorite place to be. Family and friends will gather at a later time to celebrate a life well lived.

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