James R. Avant

Lt. Col. (ret) James R. “Chip” Avant, Jr. passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17, after a long battle with congestive heart failure. Chip came into the world on February 17, 1944, a symmetrical occurrence that surely would have pleased the mathematician in him. Born to Doris and Jim Avant in San Diego, he would quickly earn his nickname. A “chip off the old block”, Chip’s father was a career California State Park Ranger; Chip’s love of fishing and camping came from the days he spent with his parents and his brother René and sisters Pat and Micki, exploring the beaches and mountains of San Diego County. He attended San Diego State College (now San Diego State University); no doubt inspired by his dad’s service to his fellow Californians, Chip was an Air Force ROTC cadet, and upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in mathematics was commissioned as a USAF lieutenant. As part of his military training, he completed another bachelor’s degree in meteorology, launching his 26-year career as an Air Force meteorologist. Chip’s first assignment was at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. In 1966, Chip met the girl he’d eventually spend the rest of his life with. Bobbi Mallick was visiting her cousin, an Air Force nurse; her boyfriend knew Chip, introductions were made, and sparks flew. Chip and Bobbi were married in August of 1968; their son Jason was born almost exactly nine months later, in May of 1969. Chip was sent to Vietnam in October 1969, and was stationed at Pleiku Air Base. It was a long year for Bobbi, but Chip found ways to comfort her – he’d send her recorded messages on cassette tapes and would sometimes call on the phone and sing Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” to her. Later, he’d tell us that “the only casualty I ever saw was a guy falling off of an O Club barstool”; home movies of him and his fellow airmen barbecuing steaks and drinking Budweisers while watching distant bombing runs seemed to reinforce that his tour wasn’t quite as hazardous as Mom imagined. As he put it, “It was less like the movie ‘Platoon’, and more like an episode of ‘MASH’”. After Vietnam, the family lived the Air Force life. Chip’s next assignment took them across the pond to England for a four-year stint at Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall. The family loved England. Taking advantage of their location, Chip, Bobbi and Jason traveled through England, Scotland, and Wales in their VW Camper; they visited Spain as a family, and Chip and Bobbi took a memorable trip to Rome. Their daughter Heather was born in England in 1973; in 1974 they returned to the States. The next nine years were spent in the Midwest – three years at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, three years at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and three years at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. In 1984, Chip was sent to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Chip, always up for an adventure, loaded up the family in a 26-foot motor home for an epic trek through the American northwest and Canada. Chip loved Alaska; he skied, fished, canoed and camped whenever he could, making the most of his time on the Last Frontier. In 1987, he was sent back to Offutt for what would be his last Air Force assignment; he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. His Air Force career was marked with personal achievements; his commendations included the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm. He also continued his education, earning his MBA from Chapman College. At his retirement ceremony, those who served under him as well as his commanders spoke of Chip’s good nature, sense of humor, empathy, and his uncanny ability to bring out the best in people. Chip retired from the Air Force, but not from life. He continued to stay active, both professionally and personally. Chip took a sales job at Sears to keep himself busy; that turned out to be the beginning of Chip’s second professional life. He earned his Series 7 license and served as a broker for TD Ameritrade, which led to a role as a compliance officer at Bank of The West. He also became a Mason, and was a very active member of the Papillion Masonic Lodge. In 2014, he retired from Bank of The West and working life “for good this time”, as he put it. Chip and Bobbi took full advantage of retired life. They spent time watching his daughter Heather’s kids Kellen, Layton and Avery perform onstage and compete in sports. They made annual trips to California to visit his son Jason and his kids Lucas and Zoë in San Diego, and Chip’s brother and sisters in Morro Bay. And Chip and Bobbi spent lots of time with each other; whether it was on a trip to Florida or at home watching a Huskers game, they made the most of their time together, as they had over the 51 years of their marriage. Chip would ultimately succumb to congestive heart failure. But those of us who knew and loved him know that his true heart – his warm inner core of love and compassion and strength - never really failed him. That was the heart that guided him through a well-lived life, and it remained steadfast and true. A memorial service for Chip will be held on Sunday, February 23 at the Braman funeral home at 6505 S. 144th St. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association.