About 12 family members and friends gathered Tuesday on Upper Sardis Wildlife Management Area in Holly Springs National Forest to memorialize the late Junior Avery.

U.S. Forestry personnel including Joel Gardner and Caren Briscoe were on hand to assist with the planting of a walnut tree in memory of Avery at the site of Avery Deer Camp founded by Avery’s father many years ago.

Avery, an avid outdoorsman, passed away in 2010. He spent most of his hunting seasons at the camp and was passionate about still hunting white tail deer as taught by his father.

Friends and relatives spent the first 30 minutes telling tales of their experiences with Junior at deer camp according to Forester Gardner who said,  “I don’t think they could be matched by the tales I have read from William Faulkner’s writings.

“Forester Briscoe and I were drawn into the almost 60 year saga and were proud to be a part of an event to honor the life of  a “character” and decent, kind, fun loving man,” Gardner said of the event and Junior.

Those in attendance enjoyed refreshments, and relived the busy days of Avery Deer Camp not only with tales, but with pictures and artifacts.