Donald Leonard Avant

Donald Leonard Avant (Don), age 80 of Hideaway, passed away on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 in Tyler. He was born on August 21, 1940 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late Leonard Keith and Ruth Evers Avant. Don graduated from Baldwin High School in Long Island, NY before enrolling in the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. While at the University of Alabama, Don met the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Lynda Mantel Avant. Upon graduation, Don entered Officers Candidate School within the US Navy, and earned the rank of LT(JG). Don and Lynda married in 1962, and moved to San Diego, CA before moving on to Honolulu, HI. After the Navy, Don and Lynda briefly returned to New York before moving to Dallas in 1970. After owning a successful marine and leisure boat business, Don found his true calling as a Financial Planner, first with EF Hutton and later as an Independent Advisor. In 2005, Don and Lynda moved to Hideaway, where they made numerous friends and he participated in countless activities, including serving on the Lakes Committee, Classic Car Club, Computer Club, and the Waste Water Committee. Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church - Lindale, loved college football (Roll Tide!), enjoyed playing cards, fishing, solving crossword puzzles and travelled extensively in his retirement. Don is survived by his loving wife Lynda; children Deborah Avant Taylor and husband Bill of Austin, Don L. Avant, Jr. and wife Meleesia of Austin; grandchildren William A. Taylor of Austin and Keith P. Taylor of Atlanta, and Olivia Avant and Nathan Donald Avant of Austin; sister Marilyn Lanctot and husband Edmund Lanctot of St. Petersburg, FL, brother-in-law Philip Mantel of Montgomery, AL, and sister-in-law Anna Mantel of Prattville, AL; nephews Philip Mantel and Eric Lanctot, and nieces Mary Frances Krause and Lisa Lanctot Lewis; and numerous loving cousins, family members and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church – Lindale (https://www.fumclindale.org/give-online) or to the charity of your choice. This is especially meaningful at this time when so many are in need.

Donald Leonard Avant

August 21, 1940 - December 23, 2020