Service to community was an important part of Roland C. Avery's life

Roland C. "Ron" Avery, a Kirkland resident for 45 years, valued community service as an important part of his life.

Mr. Avery, known to his family and friends as "R.C. Ron," was one of the founders of Little League baseball in Kirkland in 1952. He was a volunteer fireman with the Kirkland Fire Department for 25 years.

He served four years on the Lake Washington School Board and four years on the Kirkland City Council in the 1960s.

And he owned and operated an office-supply business, Evergreen Stationers, in Bellevue and Kirkland until his retirement in 1977.

"He always used to tell me he took a lot out of the community, and (service) was his way of giving something back," son Robert Avery of Kirkland said.

Mr. Avery died of pneumonia Monday (May 22) at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. He was 85.

Born April 28, 1915, in Donnybrook, N.D., he earned a teaching degree in 1941 from Minot State Teachers College in North Dakota and taught and coached high school basketball. He married Kathryn Doerr in 1939 and moved to the Northwest three years later.

He and his wife, who celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last month, were residents of Kirkland from 1943 to 1988.

He started his office supply business in Kirkland in 1946, initially selling surplus left over from a Kirkland shipyard during World War II.

After his dad retired, Robert Avery carried on the business for a decade before it was phased out.

"The sign that hung over the store now is at the family cabin over on Lake Chelan, and that's a source of pride to us," said the son.

Robert Avery said he was 9 when his dad started coaching Little League in Kirkland.

"I was on his first team," his son said, "and the tradition has lived on."

In later years, when Robert Avery's sons were young teens, Mr. Avery returned to coach his grandsons and other youngsters in Babe Ruth baseball in Kirkland.

"He just had a way with the kids," his son said.

Mr. Avery also was a life member of the Elks Lodge and was active in many other civic organizations.

Besides his wife and son, other survivors include another son, Dr. James Avery of Yakima; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service was held Thursday (May 25) in Kirkland. Remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association, 2625 Third Ave., Seattle, 98121.

Charles E. Brown's phone message number is 206-464-2206. His e-mail address is cbrown@seattletimes.com.