Donald Robert Avery

Donald Robert (Don) Avery of Dublin, Georgia went home to be with his Creator and Redeemer on January 23, 2025, at the age of 68.  Born on December 21, 1956, in Peoria, Illinois, Don was the son of Robert F. Avery and Helen Dodds Avery.  Don's life is a testament to love, honor, and faith in Jesus Christ, qualities that he embodied every day.

Growing up in Peoria, Don's leadership skills were evident early on as he earned his Eagle Scout then went on to graduate from the Air Force Academy in 1978.  He served six years as a pilot, instructor pilot and operations officer and served two years in the Florida National Guard.  Don married the love of his life, Fara Haney, in 1984 and then went on to earn two graduate degrees in business and health science at the University of Florida.   He worked in hospital executive leadership positions in Jacksonville, Florida, Valdosta, Georgia and Columbus, Georgia before becoming the President/CEO of Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Georgia in 2008.  Immediately focusing on creating a culture of excellence, Don fostered a sense of teamwork that he referred to as his "Fairview Family".   As a cancer survivor with Hodgkins Lymphoma in his early twenties, Don had a unique perspective into patient care and treatment.  He never forgot what it felt like to place his own life in the hands of others. This lead to a fierce commitment to excellence in the healthcare field.  Under Don's leadership the hospital has earned numerous accolades in recognition of excellence in quality care such as Top 100 Rural Hospital, CMS 5 star rated facility and most recently as the number one medium-sized hospital by Georgia Trend. 

Always very active in his community, Don has served on and chaired many civic and college boards, and in his church, Covenant Presbyterian, served as an elder and teacher.  He has also been involved with various healthcare professional organizations, serving as the Chair of the Georgia Hospital Association and Chair of the Alliant Health Board of Directors.  He was a frequent guest lecturer at several universities and served on the faculty of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Don loved being a pilot and flew his airplane every chance he could.  He enjoyed golf, cross-fit, tennis, pickle ball, University of Florida and Georgia Tech football, and traveling with his family.  Any day he could perform on a stage was a great day.  He enjoyed reading on the rare occasions that he slowed down.  Don's missions work in Africa was one of his greatest blessings. His ultimate joy was always Fara, his daughters, Amelia and Meredith, his son-in-law, Travis, and his grandchildren.  Above all earthly accomplishments was Don's abiding love for Jesus and his passion for sharing that love with others.  

Don is preceded in death by his father, Robert F. Avery; mother, Helen Dodds Avery; stepmothers, Susie Avery and Brenda Epley; brother-in-law, Mark Lewis; and his daughter, Meredith Fara Avery.   He is survived by his wife of forty years, Fara Haney Avery; daughter Amelia (Travis) Cobb; grandchildren, Madelyn Cobb and William Cobb; sisters, Melissa (Randy Schnoes) Avery, Ann (Mark Henn) Avery, and Ellen Lewis; and stepbrother, Darren (Tricia) Epley.  Don is also survived by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ted and Judy Haney; sister-in-law, Dina (Jeff) Stevenson; brother-in-law Todd (Scotti) Haney, and ten nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home in Dublin.  A funeral service celebrating Don's life will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 27th, at First Baptist Church of Dublin.  Mr. Avery will be laid to rest on Wednesday, January 29th beside his beloved daughter, Meredith, at Greenwood Cemetery in Panama City, Florida. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don's memory may be made to:  Covenant Presbyterian Church Building Fund, PO Box 4845, Dublin, Ga, 31040;  Friends of Zambia, c/o First Baptist Church of Dublin, 405 Bellevue Ave., Dublin, Ga 31021; or ABC Women's Clinic, PO Box 1927, Dublin, Ga, 31040.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Robert Avery, please visit our floral store.