[post_page_title]Going to the big television studio in the sky[/post_page_title]
Tragically, James LaRue Avery passed away on New Year’s Eve 2013, following complications from open-heart surgery. He was only 68. Born in Suffolk, Virginia, he served in the U.S. Navy and actually fought in the Vietnam War before transitioning to a career in show business.
He began by writing scripts for PBS, and even won an Emmy, but became an actor. He is survived by his wife, Barbara. Ironically enough, the real-life Uncle Phil never had any children of his own, but he did have one stepson named Kevin Waters.
