Lloyd James Averill

Lloyd James Averill died on December 17 following complications from Parkinsons disease. He and his wife, Gloria Mansfield Averill, together created a welcoming home in Tacoma, WA. Dr. Averill was 91, having been born on April 5, 1923, in Warrenville, IL, the son of Lloyd James Sr. and Dorothy Rogers Averill. He was a patient at Franciscan Hospice House in University Place at the time of death. In more than 45 years of professional life, Dr. Averill taught undergraduate and graduate students and served as an academic administrator, consultant, program developer and fund-raiser. An author, lecturer, and preacher, he was vice-president of three collegesKalamazoo, Davis and Elkins, and Barat; president of both the Council of Protestant Colleges and Universities and the Kansas City Regional Council for Higher Education; professor in six institutions and adjunct professor in three theological seminaries. Before retirement, he was senior lecturer in the School of Social Work, University of Washington, 1984-93, with an emeritus appointment afterward. He held ordination in the United Church of Christ. For three years, he was Theologian in Residence for Seattles University Congregational United Church of Christ. He held degrees from the University of Wisconsin (B.A., philosophy), University of Rochester (M.A., sociology), Colgate Rochester Divinity School (M.Div. and M.Th.). Additional study took him to Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary/Northwestern University and the University of Cambridge where M.A. status was conferred by the University Senate. In addition, he was awarded seven honorary doctorate degrees by colleges across the country. Lloyd Averill wrote extensively on theology, higher education, sociology, and Northwest Coast Native art history. Between 1966 and 2004, he authored 14 books, including A Man from Roundup, The Life and Times of Bill Holm (2004), Reclaiming the Language of Faith (2001), Sun Dogs and Eagle Down, The Indian Paintings of Bill Holm (with Stephen Brown, 2001), Northwest Coast Native and Native-Style Art: A Guidebook for Western Washington (with Daphne Morris, 1995), Religious Right, Religious Wrong: A Critique of the Fundamentalist Phenomenon (1989), chosen by the Academy of Parish Clergy as one of the ten best books of the year, and Learning to Be Human: A Vision for the Liberal Arts (1983). Lloyd and Gloria welcomed international students to live in their home throughout their marriage, developing enduring, familial relationships with each one. Over the past ten years, these included Jenkis Ng, Jenny Lee, Jane Cammon, and Junko Thompson. Gloria is deeply grateful to those who provided invaluable in-home care for Lloyd over the past five years including Lifecare at Home and Franciscan Hospice, as well as Nolvia Mejia, Sarah Schmaling Marter, Meka Sasser, Meagan Brook, Anisha Fernando, Veronica Sande, Stacie Hunter, and Whittney Burgess Dia. Surviving Dr. Averill, in addition to his wife, are three children from an earlier marriage to the late Shirley Karr Smith: Shelley (Tom Taylor), Leslie (Kim Graham, who died in 2013), and Scott (Sharon); eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jack Averill (Jo-Ann), and their family. Dr. Averill was previously married to Carol White. Lloyds wife, his family, friends, and associates warmly attest to his love of art, music, and the written word, his quick sense of humor, and his embrace of life.