Elton Avara Obituary Elton Patrick "PAT" Avara passed from this life Thursday, November 15, 2012. He was born Monday, April 29, 1940 to John Theodore and Alice Marie (Cook) Avara, in Salinas CA. A memorial service, to celebrate Pat's 72 years of life, is scheduled for 12:00 P.M., Saturday, November 17, 2012 at Tabernacle Baptist Church with Jeremiah Sargent officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Agape Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodrow, TX. Pat was raised in Lubbock, TX and attended Lubbock High School. He became a Born-again Christian at 11 years old, as he walked the aisle of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock. Pat graduated from Texas Tech in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree, married Jimmie Lou Bassham the next day, and was commissioned into the USAF as a 2nd Lieutenant. He completed Professional Training in Meteorology at Texas A&M in August 1963 and served 10 years in the USAF as a Meteorologist and was honorably discharged in 1972. Pat received a Master of Science Degree in 1971 at UTEP and a Masters Degree in Physics from New Mexico State University. He began working at White Sands Missile Range as a Physicist and a computer programmer. Pat taught night classes at El Paso Community College for a few years and he was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Meteorology to Oklahoma State University. He was listed in "Who's Who In America" in the 1970's for his scientific work. Pat's highest achievement was as a father and a husband. He leaves a legacy of love, respect and faith to his wife of 50 years and his sons, Jerry and John.