Jimmy K. Avants, 86, of Athens passed away on March 5, 2023. Born in Little Rock Arkansas in 1936, he was the son of the late William Arthur Avants and Julia Warren Kay Avants.

Jimmy was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church. He enjoyed watching Georgia football and basketball games, was a Rotarian in Oconee County for many years and was a member of The Breakfast Club.

In 1962, Jimmy and Rosie moved their two young boys from Little Rock to begin his career with the United States Department of Agriculture as a physical science technician.

In 1969, they moved to Athens, Georgia where he continued his career with the USDA at the Richard Russell Research Center. Jimmy retired from the USDA after 34 years. He took a small break from work but then decided he wasn’t ready for retirement and began working at the EPA for another 15 years. He made so many long lasting friends working at Russell Research labs. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Mary Avants; great grandson, Jaiden Dickison; siblings, Leoma  Avants, Billie Jean Cluck, Ella Avants, J.B. Avants and William Arthur Avants.
 
Survivors include his two sons, Gary Avants (Sharon Satterfield Avants), Clyde Jerome Avants; grandchildren, Melissa Crowe (Casey), Jordan Avants, MaryStuart Hulsey (Chris), Tara Avants; great grandchildren, Lily Crowe, Kaya Crowe, Harper Hulsey, Amelia Hulsey and Timberly Finch. He is also survived by his dear, sweet friend Polly Doane. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jordan Avants, Casey Crowe, and Chris Hulsey and members of The Breakfast Club.