Born on April 7, 1940, Jim is also survived by his granddaughter Bergen Pryor of Spring, Texas, his sister JoAnn Franklin of Arkadelphia, his brother Dickie Lee (Marsha) Avant of Hernando, Mississippi, his sister-in law Janice Avant, and many nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Henry Jerrell and Nina Mildred Blann Avant of Harmony Grove and his siblings Doris Jean (Delton) Courville, Patricia Kyle, and Rick Avant.

Jim graduated in 1958 from Hampton High School, served in the Air Force, and spent his career as an aircraft mechanic. He worked at the

Camden Municipal Airport, first as a mechanic and then as the fixed-base operator of Camden Flying Service. He was a mechanical genius and could fix anything. He was known for solving problems and making improvements to anything he worked on.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27, from 6pm to 8pm at Proctor Funeral Home in Camden. The funeral will follow at Proctor’s at 1pm on Friday, April 28.