James Kauffmann Avant

James (Jimmy) Kauffmann Avant of Mesquite was born In San Antonio, Texas on January 28, 1952 and he passed away in Mesquite, Texas on June 8, 2018.He was preceded in death by parents, James H. Avant and Nancy Avant and his grandmother, Nannette Kauffmann. Jimmy is survived by wife of 38 years, Betty Avant; daughters, Jessie Avant and Alicia Avant; one granddaughter, Jaylee Bannister; a sister, Nannette Avant Borden and nephew, Ben Borden. Jimmy was raised in Kenedy, Texas and graduated from Kenedy High School. He was a member of the Lion Marching Band, 1970 Class President and Valedictorian.Jimmythen went to Dallas and attended SMU where he earned a BBA in Finance.While at SMU he was a proud member of the SMU Mustang Marching Band. After graduation, Jimmy worked in banking in Plano, Texas but his real love was the automobile industry.He returned to Kenedy and helped his father run Kauffmann Motor Company for a number of years. He later took the opportunity to work in a large Dallas auto dealership.He loved the service side of the industry and the friendships he developed with some of some well-known and famous people who he found to be just down home good folks. Memorial service will be 12:00PM - Saturday June 16, 2018 at New Hope Funeral Home, 500 E. Hwy. 80, Sunnyvale, TX. 75182.