Avery Lora Detten

Avery Lora Detten, 20, left this earthly life far too soon on May 26, 2026. Vigil services will be Sunday, May 31 at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 South Coulter in Amarillo. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 1 at 10 a.m. also at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with co-celebrants Father Tony Neusch, Father John Valdez, and Father Grant Spinhirne officiating. Private burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Hereford.

Avery was born on April 10, 2006 in Amarillo to parents Dennis and Jessica (Oman) Detten. She was a lifelong resident of Hereford. She completed her elementary education at St. Anthony’s Catholic School and graduated from Hereford High School in 2024. Avery was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. She was a two-time State Champion in 4-H Educational Presentation and a FFA Proficiency Award National Finalist in Agriculture Communications. She found her true passion in raising and showing sheep and competing in judging competitions.

Avery was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University in College Station. She was a member of the 2025 Fighting Texas Aggie National Champion Wool Judging Team, earning All American honors, the 2026 Fighting Texas Aggie Meat Judging Team, and was looking forward to joining the Texas A&M Livestock Judging Team. She had a positive competitive spirit, always striving for excellence, and she was loved by her teammates and coaches. She was an Animal Science Ambassador and had recently been selected to serve on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council.

Avery was a hard worker and was employed by KPAN Radio throughout her high school years and during the summer. At the time of her death she was also a student worker in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Meat Specialists’ Office. She truly loved her jobs and coworkers.

Avery was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She loved fiercely and shared her kindness and love generously. She was the epitome of joy and fun, and had a personality people and animals were naturally drawn to. Pink, Navajo pearls and turquoise were her signature style. She cherished time with her family and was happiest at home in Hereford. She was a light to many and her final act in this life was organ donation to save others.

She was preceded in death by her beloved paternal grandfather, Ralph Detten, and her maternal grandmother, June Oman.

Avery is survived by her parents, Dennis and Jessica Detten, sister, Rachael,her two brothers, Jack and Sam, grandparents John Bill and Belinda Oman and Judy Detten, aunts Jennifer Kelley (Tom), Judith Grotegut (Chris), Johnna Page (Sutton), Ingrid Tusa (Jacob), Denise Wieck (Brad) and Diana Moore (Taylor), and uncle Doug Detten (Krista). She is also survived by her beloved cousins, Wes Walton, Harrison Detten (Janelle), Jill Detten, Holly Detten, Chloe Dixon (Seth), Evan, Jace and Rhett Wieck, Bennett and Madeline Moore, Emily June Williams (Bryson), Laurel Von Dohlen (Trey), John Thomas Kelley, Johan and Josef Grotegut, Quincy Page, and Georgia and Charlie Tusa, many extended family and countless friends and mentors whom she cherished.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to a scholarship fund in the name of Avery Detten be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Click here to give: Avery Detten Memorial If making a gift online, please ensure you note the gift is a tribute to Avery Detten.