Hugh Brackett Avant, DDS

Hugh Brackett Avant DDS, 69, long-time resident of New Smyrna Beach, FL, passed away on November 3, 2013 at the Florida-Georgia game while watching his beloved Gators play with lifelong friend, Mike Floyd of Gainesville Florida.One of 4 children, he was born in Rutherfordton, NC to William and Daisy Avant. He was lucky enough to marry his high school sweetheart, LaVelle McCulloch Avant. A Vietnam veteran who served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy, he graduated from North Carolina State University and Dental School at UNC at Chapel Hill. He practiced general dentistry in Gainesville, Florida for more than 30 years. After he retired, he served as an expert witness for the Florida Board of Dentistry and also became a certified mediator for the Volusia County court system. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, scuba diver, skier, and cyclist. He loved to travel with his wife, his family, and his friends. Hugh was well loved for his sense of humor, loyalty, and his strong embrace of life. He was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Gainesville, FL, and Coronado Methodist Church, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Dr Avant was predeceased by his parents, his siblings Alice, Bill, and Harry, his daughter, Alicia Avant Erwin of Boiling Springs, SC, and the love of his life, his wife of more than 44 years, LaVelle Avant. He is survived by his daughter, Dr Sondra Avant, and his three grandchildren, Ashley Erwin, Marina Avant-deLaroche, and Grant Avant-deLaroche. He will be missed dearly by his sons-in-law, Steven deLaroche and Nelson Erwin, and his companion, Denise Fountain, and her daughter, Saxon Sobaleski. Hugh Avant was larger than life and did things his way. He was easy to love and has left a great void. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Lupus Foundation (www.lupus.org) or the National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-donations). A graveside service will be held at Sea Pines Cemetery in Edgewater, Florida on Firday, November 22, 2013 at 3:00pm and a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 starting at 10:00am at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club.

Hugh Brackett Avant, DDS

November 22, 1943 - November 3, 2013