Daniel Griffin Averitt

Daniel Griffin Averitt unexpectedly completed an abundantly lived life for which he was so grateful, March 23, 2024. Though his years in this world were fewer than hoped, Daniel left an indelible mark upon all who had the good fortune to know him, love him, or merely to cross his path in his 32 years.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The evening prior to the service, a visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., April 2, 2024, also at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Daniel grew up in Waco, Texas, where he was passionate about soccer – excelling as a formidable defender – as well as hunting, fishing, and scouting. These activities he carried into adulthood, becoming an outstanding marksman and hunter. His good temperament and benign nature were evident from an early age – even as a young boy, he had a firm handshake, looked adults in the eye when he spoke to them, was always smiling and put people at ease with his gracious manner. Despite his impeccable manners, he had a mischievous side that occasionally landed him in trouble – because he always got caught! The remarkable part was that he was always accepting of the consequences of his actions and never complained, knowing he had “earned” the repercussions of his actions; these teachable moments grew his character in ways that he employed throughout his life, both to help himself and others.

Daniel graduated from Midway High School in 2010 and attended Texas Tech University before transferring to his hometown college, Baylor University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2015. His career choices were emblematic of who he was at his core, and that was a person of service to others who walked his talk, lived with intentionality, and exuded pervasive kindness and empathy. He paired his educational background in business with his knack for creating a genuine rapport with everyone he met and started a landscaping business in Austin. He did quite well because he understood the importance of delivering a quality work product and service in a timely manner, and his clients and employees couldn’t help but be enveloped by his genuineness and respectfulness to all, no matter their station in life. Those themes followed him to his next venture; while recently pursuing a degree in Information Technology at Austin Community College, Daniel managed a house for rehabilitating addicts, where he helped them learn to live in sobriety, achieve mental, emotional and physical healthiness, find jobs and otherwise navigate their lives toward productivity, accountability, happiness and fulfillment of their purposes. This role was truly a culmination of Daniel’s talents and his own life experiences, as he had embraced sobriety for four years; Daniel had developed habits of religiously caring for his body, mind and spirit, and he shared that discipline and those practices with the sober house residents. To Daniel, growing academically, intellectually and professionally was important, but it paled in comparison to his desire to meet people where they were and to listen, lift and help them to the next greater plateau.

To say that Daniel had a positive impact on us seems far too minimal a characterization; he was and will remain the brightest light and the most special blessing to so many. Perhaps the greatest honor those of us he leaves behind can bestow upon him is to emulate his spirit of gratitude, which was on show recently when he excitedly talked about his life and enjoying every minute of it, even the difficult, tedious, and mundane parts; he abruptly stopped and simply exclaimed, “I love my life.” We loved it too, Daniel, and we are infinitely blessed by your presence on this earth and in our hearts.

Daniel is survived by his devoted parents, Kip and Kathy Averitt, and his cherished siblings: Richard and wife Erika Averitt, Michael Averitt, and sister and best friend Kristina Averitt; his nieces, Annika, Copeland, Emilia; and nephew, William; all of whom he adored; as well as his aunt, Pam McPeak; and cousin, Brady McPeak; his uncle, Kyle and aunt, Beth Ann Averitt; uncle, Joe Bill Averitt; and his loving cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Cook Children’s in support of Spiritual Care at promise.cookchildrens.org/DanielAveritt

Or Recovery Unplugged at facethemusic.org

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on Daniel’s “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.