BOMBER MEMORIAL

HOWARD LEE AVANT ~ Class of 1972
February 28, 1953 - June 19, 1955



Howard Lee Avant was born on February 28, 1953 in Kennewick to Harold Robert Avant and Mary Willcockson Avant.

He died in Yankton, SD on June 19, 1995 at the age of 42. His last residence was in Albuquerque, NM.

Howard's twin siblings are Betti Avant ('69) and Robert "Bob" Avant ('69). He never married.

He graduated with the Class of 1972 from Richland's Columbia High School where he was a member of the Letterman's Club. He lettered in 8 out of 9 sports and had a JV letter to add to his collection. While in high school he coached a city league baseball team for some of the neighborhood boys.

After managing the Richland Bomber basketball team to the 1972 state AAA title he enrolled at CBC. He managed the football, wrestling and basketball teams for two years.

In 1974, after graduating from CBC he followed the head coach to the University of New Mexico to be an equipment manager for the Lobos in various sports. Several former Lobos became pro players in their sports which he loved to brag about.

Howard returned to CBC for a year and managed the national championship football team in 1978. He returned to UNM in 1979 and was employed there again as an equipment manager until his passing.

He had a love of sports, but in the 8th grade felt he would be better suited to manage sports' teams rather than play them.

His father died on November 17, 1976 in Richland at the age of 55.

His mother died on May 13, 1994 in Yankton, SD at the age of 75.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).