Don Rowen Avaux, 90, died Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines, IA. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday May 20, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Ave. in Des Moines. Masks, social distancing, and limited seating are required at the service. The service will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. at www.westpres.org/watch-live.
Don was born November 2, 1930 in Des Moines, IA to Thomas and Margaret (Rowen) Avaux. He was a graduate of Urbandale High School and Iowa State University. He married Patricia Louise (Jeffreys) Avaux on June 2, 1952.
Don worked for US West Communications/Northwestern Bell for 37 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Acanthus Lodge, Urbandale Booster Club, Urbandale Historical Society, Telephone Pioneers and was a Korean War Army Veteran. He loved family, friends, family events, farming, antique tractors, woodworking, and fixing things. He served the youth and Urbandale community in baseball, football, concession stands, Little League, baseball field lighting project and installed the football bleachers. He served on the Urbandale Library Board, Urbandale Parks and Recreation Board and on the “chain gang” for Urbandale football games for 35 years. He enjoyed community service and was awarded 1983 Urbandale Citizen of the Year. He frequently drove his antique tractors and pulled floats in the Urbandale 4 th of July parades and Dallas Center Centennial parade. He served as an usher at Westminster Presbyterian Church and enjoyed building and being home on the acreage. He helped his neighbors with harvest and delivered grain. He enjoyed volunteering at the Old Thrasher’s Reunion in Mt. Pleasant for many years and the annual Avaux male bonding fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada.
Don is survived by his sons Mark (Pamela) Avaux and Charles (Rebecca) Avaux; grandchildren Meredith (Joseph) Smeltzer, Thomas (Lauren) Avaux, and Jessica Beveridge; and great-grandchildren: Henry and Landry Avaux, Oscar and Evie Smeltzer and Hannah Beveridge. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and brother, Robert Avaux.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.