Jackie Alton "Pete" Avery of Gulfport Mississippi passed away on January 27, 2023 at the age of 52. His untimely death has left family, friends and all that knew him with such an indelible void.
Pete was born on September 13, 1970 to Ella Brown Avery and Jackie Avery, Sr. His affection for music started at a very young age. He followed in his mother and father's musical footsteps. At the age of 8 years old, he and his cousin Sherrie Laziana wrote "Toot Your Flute" on the soundtrack of Disco 9000. This was the beginning of the rest of the story. His mother and father recognized and nurtured his talents. Growing up, he played piano in the church and enjoyed playing and singing with his family. He could play anything...and every note by ear.
Pete never met a stranger. Though quiet and often keeping to himself, if there was a conversation about music or technology, he could talk for hours. He loved reading everything he could about the ever changing music industry, and how he could make what he did, better. He would often sit in his office, some would call it the bathroom, and talk for hours. He got that habit honestly, from his mama. Ella was always in her office when you called her...and the same went for Pete.
He was loving, kind, considerate, and incredibly funny. He was so smart and talented on many fronts. In his early years, he was a producer and founding member of the Mississippi Doug$ Boyz, with Notorious Bigg and Tilidie who released their first album in 1993. He was the go-to producer in town, working with local up and coming singers, rappers and musicians alike. In his 20's, he toured with Blaine Ashley's band, Starz, traveling the country, playing everything from nightclubs to weddings. In 2000, he moved to Atlanta to work with RedZone Entertainment where he worked as primary engineer for Laney Stewart. There, he had the pleasure to work with Charlie Wilson, Ciara, Blu Cantrell, Sam Salter and many others.
In recent years, Jackie made a shift from creating, producing and engineering music to the business side of the music industry by managing his nephew, Ugly God (Royce Davison). Pete also served the community of Gulfport and Harrison County as a member of the Coastal Mississippi Board of Commissioners. He was very proud of this appointment and served his community well.
Jackie is preceded in death by his mother, Ella Brown Avery, his paternal grandparents, Ellen and John Avery and his maternal grandparents, Willie and Elise Brown. He is survived by his father, Jackie Avery Sr., his Godfather, Jaimoe Johnson and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society in honor of Jackie "Pete" Avery.