Welcome to the Memorial Page of
Harold E. Avery on April 18, 2026
We sincerely apologize for the technical and audio difficulties we encountered during the service. You will run into a few during this presentation of the service.
Diana, Cheryl, and Jeff, children of Harold and Cecilia Avery would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who helped us get the memorial for Dad all together. God Bless each of you! To Deborah Thompson for her advice, contacting of the Yuma Police Department, the Yuma Police Department Honor Guard. Being our photographer, and all around great gal. To Robbie Wright and Jeremy Daniels of the Honor Guard, and the Honor Guard Members, words cannot
express our sincere and heartfelt thank you for the beautiful ceremony. I know Dad was, no doubt, thrilled with the ceremony. He would be so proud of you all.
To Brandi and Ashley Hare for their beautiful rendition of the song and music, Turn Your Eyes, for Daddy. Brandi and Ashley were Mom and Dad's first caregivers. They and their family are like our own family. And we all are so thankful for their love, caring and friendship. I was so disappointed we couldn't get the audio system to cooperate with us. Below is the video of Brandi and her daughter, Ashley singing this comforting song. Thank you so much, Brandi and Ashley!
To our cousin, Michelle Bowen, for her wonderful tribute to the Four Musketeers, Harold, Celia, Janet and Alan.
To Larry Rudolf, Bill Reinert JR, Bill Reinert III, Benjamin Reinert, Jeff Avery for setting up and taking down the chairs, and to Cheryl Reinert for the beautiful flower wreath.
We were blessed with a beautiful morning on Saturday, 4-18-26. The day also would have marked our mom, Ceila's, 91st birthday. I have no doubt that Mom and Dad were there, along with our Aunt Janet and Uncle Alan (Dad's sister and
brother-in-law). We scattered all four of their ashes near the FOP Fallen Policeman Memorial in Yuma, Arizona. Below you can view the memorial video along with the video presenting Brandi and Ashley Hare with Turn Your Eyes.
How does one put into adequate words, thoughts on the lives of two amazing people and what they meant to me and those whose lives they touched?
First about Bud since I previously wrote about Celia. Truly miss the phone conversations with him all through the years; hearing the struggles through the pain after Celia was gone to the amazing courage and fortitude and spirit he showed through the ensuing life changes. These traits just showed the resilience, positive attitude, and his wonderful sense of humor in looking for the best while facing whatever life presented. He is missed.
Years ago I wrote about Celia after she was gone, but now it seems impossible to write of one without the other. I remember being so impressed by Bud and Celia and what fierce parents they were in watching over and guarding each of you children with unstinting love and caring (I suspect you all may have thought it was a bit restricting at times!). They were truly devoted to each of you.
I was always impressed with how Bud and Celia weathered the trials of life and marriage and parenthood, the losses, the successes, the disappointments, the good times. They faced these with dignity, grace, determination, and made it all work. This cannot be said of too many marriages in these times and this society.
About our friendship. Their friendship to me was crucial and vital. Celia was such a support and inspiration, a wonderful, delightful lady. Both were steadfast friends who shared many years of fellowship, laughter, fun times, serious times. I so appreciated how they included and shared with me the family. This meant so much to me. They were there, were supportive, were true, never wavering, and yes, steadfast, as I am sure they were with all their friendships.
Friends like Bud and Celia are a rare gift in this life, and I was so very privileged to have had them in my life. The loss of Bud and Celia and the light they carried is a sad loss for us all and this world; but the miraculous part is that this light they carried lives on and will live on in our shared memories, and in the gifts they left for all of us who knew them. It all shines brightest in each of you children, your children, and your children's children to each generation. Even though each of you are complete individuals with your on accomplishments, achievements, and talents, you each carry the inheritance of the traits and strengths and love transmitted by your parents. Very precious gifts indeed.
Turn Your Eyes sung by Brandi and Ashley Hare
Memorial Service Harold E. Avery 4-18-26
Eulogy
A Life Blessed
Thank you, everyone, for coming out today to celebrate the life of Harold Avery with us. He would be thrilled you all are here.
I'd bet he's here too because there is no way he'd miss this if he were allowed to be here. It also means so much to Cheryl, Jeff and I that you all are here today.
To know Bud is to know a man who experienced a lot of life's happenings that could pop up in this world. Listening to Dad's stories about his life over these past four years has put a light in my heart that I am so thankful I was blessed to receive. The words, "I never knew" is putting it mildly.
Dad had it rough growing up and that all contributed to the "Bud" we love and know. He was the man of the family from three years old and on.
It was his job to make sure his sister, Janet, and himself got to Sunday School every Sunday as Grandma always put God first and made sure her children and grandchildren knew God and his Son, Jesus, and, the Holy Spirit. She always stressed to all of us the importance of knowing God. Dad told me when he was around 6 or 7 years old, he decided he would visit his neighbor across the street from his house. The guy would always be working on a car, and it was no different that day. He offered dad a beer and proceeded to teach dad how to fix cars. Dad said nobody really thought, back then, that it may not be a good idea to give a child a beer.
Dad loved being a police officer. He enjoyed every aspect of it and his days on the department here in Yuma were his favorite. He told me that each day, he couldn't wait to get to work. He loved hunting and fishing with his buddies on the department too. Almost every Sunday he would take mom, and we kids to Senator's Wash for a day on the boat with water-skiing. We all loved that.
One funny story that we all got a kick out of was the time dad decided he could water ski right up onto one of the sandbars at Martinez Lake.
We all watched with anticipated disaster, the boat pulling dad around at a top-notch speed, and right up to the sandbar. We all knew mom
was praying for a miracle and sure enough, dad came in, and with his knees bent a bit, he threw the ski rope away as far as he could get it
from himself, and came right up onto the sandbar. Unfortunately, physics didn't have the same idea as dad and that ground stopped those skis to a halt. Dad, along with the help of the Lord, pulled his feet out of the attached foot guards and ran all the way onto the sandbar and up to our blanket and sun cover.
Dad really enjoyed life. He would give anyone the shirt off his back. He was helpful, resourceful, and good with advice. Our daughter wanted to share that her favorite thing about Grandpa was he would see her come into a room, and he'd say, "Come here and give Grandpa a big gutty hug!!" When she had her own son,
Bradyn, they took him to visit mom and dad in Henderson when he was around three years old. Dad would say, "Come here and give Grandpa a big gutty hug!!"
And Bradyn would run down the hall giggling and say, "Nooooooooo!"
I am so thankful I was with dad the night he passed. It was such a blessing he went peacefully that night because the doctors at the hospital told us he was to be bedridden from that night on as he had no strength to hold himself up anymore. Before he passed, he spoke of seeing the most beautiful site he'd ever seen. He wondered how anyone could make something so magbeautiful. It was so comforting, and I feel he's with mama now along with his sister, Janet and his brother-in-law, Alan, whom he thought of as his own brother. The Four Musketeers are together again having the best of times. Dad loved and respected each and every one of his family and friends. And, at times, it may have seemed like, "are you sure," he would want each of you to know how much you meant to him and how much he loves you. And now I'd like to introduce our cousin, Michelle Bowen, to say a few words about their mom and dad, our Aunt Janet and Uncle Alan.
Prayer for the Scattering of the Ashes
Heavenly Father, as we stand on the threshold of scattering these ashes, we surrender our grief to Your comforting embrace. In this sacred act, we release the earthly remnants of our loved ones, trusting in Your promise of eternal peace. May the wind carry these ashes, symbolizing the transient nature of life, and may our hearts find solace in the knowledge that the departed souls are now free. Grant us strength to accept this parting, and may the memories of our loved ones be forever cherished. In Your mercy, guide us through this moment with grace, love, and a deep sense of connection. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for this beautiful day and for being with us today.
We thank you for taking Dad, Mom, Aunt Janet and Uncle Al into your Light. Thank you for giving them to us as our Parents, and Aunt and Uncle. To Love, Parent and Guide us during our lives. Please give them a big hug from each of us.
Father we especially thank you for your gift of your son, Jesus. Thank you for your grace and love. So much love from one for all of his creations. It is overwhelmingly humbling. Bless you, Father and we love you so much!!
In Jesus' Name We Pray,
Amen
A big Thank you to Bill Reinert Jr for ending the prayer with "Amen."
