Richard Ayers Sr.
Richard Ayers
Richard Ayers Sr., 64, of Webster City, passed peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2023, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2023, at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery with military honors.
Richard Lee Ayers Sr., son of Lee and Deloris (Pottorff) Ayers, was born October 19, 1958, in Mt. Ayr. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1977. He served in the United States Marines from 1977 – 1981. Rich was united in marriage to Kelly J. Lennon on May 19, 1979, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City. He worked many years for Electrolux and the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center. Upon the closing of Electrolux, Rich returned to college and received degrees in Computer Integrated Fabrication and Industrial Business and a diploma in Welding Technology. He taught welding, precision measurements and other core classes at ICCC and worked for Mertz Engineering. He made many happy Christmas memories by playing Santa for many families for over 40 years.
He is survived by the love of his life and partner in crime of 43 years, Kelly; beloved sons, Rich (Jenny) Ayers Jr., Dan (Danielle) Ayers, all of Webster City; grandchildren, James, Jenessa, Jaxon, Jakaela, Johnathan, Mason, Hailey, Caiden; great-grandson, Charlie; parents, Lee (Deloris) Ayers of Webster City; brother, Raymond (Kay) Ayers of Creston; sisters, JoAnn (Don) Duff of Norwalk, Linda (Mike) Christianson of Lehigh, Tina (Matthew) Parrish of Vashon, WA; sisters-in-law, Mary (Jim) Black of Fort Dodge, Colleen (Brad) Koester of Duncombe, Susan (Mike) Mulder of Lee’s Summit, MO., Kim Lennon and significant other, Bill of Fort Dodge and many nieces and nephews. He was always the friend you could count on and he’d be the first in line to help anyone. He enjoyed racing, golfing and camping, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was the founder of Ayers Racing (established in 2007).
Rich was preceded in death by his sister, Peggy Lee Ayers; parents-in-law, Jack (Arlene) Lennon; brother-in-law, Jack Lennon and sister-in-law, Karen Reutter.
He served as a Scoutmaster and leader for Troop 17, mentoring multiple youth to achieve their Eagle Scout Rank, including both of his sons. He volunteered with the WC Jaycees, was a member of the Peoples Credit Union Board, the Marine Corp League of Fort Dodge and the Hamilton County Racing Association.