Avin Wesley Brownlee

Avin Wesley Brownlee, 99, formerly of Dumas, passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2012, after a lengthy illness. Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Northlawn Memorial Gardens in Dumas, with a flag detail provided by American Legion Post 224 of Dumas. Memorial services will follow at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Howe, pastor of the church officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Morrison Funeral Directors. Avin was born on March 28, 1913 in Jacksboro, Texas to George Lewis and Elizabeth Plimper Brownlee. He was the ninth of thirteen children. He married Ora Mae Hood on October 2, 1941. Avin was a farmer until volunteering for service in 1940. He was a T4 Sgt. with Battery C, 131 Infantry Field Artillery of the Texas 36th Division. During WWII, they were the first wave of Americans to land on European soil at Salerno, Italy, September 9, 1943. He served twentyeight months in North Africa, Italy, Austria, France and Germany. Upon his return from Europe, he worked for Colorado Interstate Gas at their Bivins and Four Way plants for thirtythree years. He retired as a field station operator in 1978. He moved his family to Dumas in 1967, and lived there fortythree years, until moving to Amarillo in 2010. Working on cars, gardening, and fishing were his lifelong hobbies. In 2009, Avin was honored as a veteran to go on the America Supports You Texas trip to Washington, D.C. He was chosen to lay a wreath at the WWII Memorial. Avin served on the Bivins School Board and the board of the Bivins Credit Unit. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Masterson, Dumas, and Amarillo. He was a lifetime member of the Moore County Senior Citizens, the American Legion, the VFW, and the 36th Infantry Division Association. He was preceded in death by his parents and eleven brothers and sisters. Avin is survived by his wife of seventyone years, Ora Mae, and four children, Avin Scott Brownlee and wife Nancy of Sugarland, Elizabeth Briscoe and husband Bill of Canyon , George Brownlee of Houston, and Mike Brownlee and wife Brenda of Stratford, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one sister, Lennis Brandenburg, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to the First Baptist Church, Senior Adult Choir, P. O. Box 617, Dumas, TX 79029 the Moore County Senior Center, P. O. Box 2114, Dumas, TX 79029 or to a favorite charity in memory of Avin.