John G. Ayers, 85, of Fort Smith died peacefully at home Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. He was born July 3, 1923, in Fort Smith to Walter and Doris Ayers. He attended First United Methodist Church where he was a past board member. John was the president of Ayers Furniture Industries, a continuing line of the furniture manufacturing business that was started by his family in 1892. He also served as past president of the Southwest Furniture Manufacturers Association. John was an active member of many civic and fraternal organizations. He was a 50 years plus member of the Noon Civics Club, Amrita Grotto, Salvation Army and the Kiwanis International, where he was an active supporter of the Kiwanis Club Summer Camp at Lake Fort Smith. He served as a past member of the Red Cross of Constantine, the Shrine Club, Belle Point Lodge No. 20 and York Rite and was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a past board member of Sparks Regional Medical Center and the Salvation Army. John was a graduate of the Spartan School of Aeronautics and served in the Navy during World War II.
John also enjoyed hydroplane boat racing; he was a three-time world champion. He was also a lifetime supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the UA Fort Smith Lions, formerly the Westark Lions, and Oaklawn thoroughbred racing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter W. Ayers and Doris S. Ayers.
A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at First United Methodist Church with a private family burial at Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma; his sister, Mary Fisk of Logan, Utah; two sons, John W. Ayers of Fort Smith and Bill Ayers of Rogers; one stepson, Jim Hopper of Fort Smith; two daughters, Jane Ayers of Talent, Ore., and Jeana Cartwright of Bryant; three stepdaughters, Cheryl Hopper and Patricia Stanton, both of Fort Smith, and Karen Mahoney of Maumelle; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Stanton, Cory Hopper, John W. Ayers Jr., Jody Ayers, Randy Ayers, B.G. Hendrix, Jess Lewis, Gene Rapley, John Sullivan and Bud Lewis.
Family will visit with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 292, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
John also enjoyed hydroplane boat racing; he was a three-time world champion. He was also a lifetime supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the UA Fort Smith Lions, formerly the Westark Lions, and Oaklawn thoroughbred racing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter W. Ayers and Doris S. Ayers.
A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at First United Methodist Church with a private family burial at Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma; his sister, Mary Fisk of Logan, Utah; two sons, John W. Ayers of Fort Smith and Bill Ayers of Rogers; one stepson, Jim Hopper of Fort Smith; two daughters, Jane Ayers of Talent, Ore., and Jeana Cartwright of Bryant; three stepdaughters, Cheryl Hopper and Patricia Stanton, both of Fort Smith, and Karen Mahoney of Maumelle; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Stanton, Cory Hopper, John W. Ayers Jr., Jody Ayers, Randy Ayers, B.G. Hendrix, Jess Lewis, Gene Rapley, John Sullivan and Bud Lewis.
Family will visit with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 292, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
John G. Ayers, 85, of Fort Smith died peacefully at home Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. He was born July 3, 1923, in Fort Smith to Walter and Doris Ayers. He attended First United Methodist Church where he was a past board member. John was the president of Ayers Furniture Industries, a continuing line of the furniture manufacturing business that was started by his family in 1892. He also served as past president of the Southwest Furniture Manufacturers Association. John was an active member of many civic and fraternal organizations. He was a 50 years plus member of the Noon Civics Club, Amrita Grotto, Salvation Army and the Kiwanis International, where he was an active supporter of the Kiwanis Club Summer Camp at Lake Fort Smith. He served as a past member of the Red Cross of Constantine, the Shrine Club, Belle Point Lodge No. 20 and York Rite and was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a past board member of Sparks Regional Medical Center and the Salvation Army. John was a graduate of the Spartan School of Aeronautics and served in the Navy during World War II.
John also enjoyed hydroplane boat racing; he was a three-time world champion. He was also a lifetime supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the UA Fort Smith Lions, formerly the Westark Lions, and Oaklawn thoroughbred racing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter W. Ayers and Doris S. Ayers.
A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at First United Methodist Church with a private family burial at Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma; his sister, Mary Fisk of Logan, Utah; two sons, John W. Ayers of Fort Smith and Bill Ayers of Rogers; one stepson, Jim Hopper of Fort Smith; two daughters, Jane Ayers of Talent, Ore., and Jeana Cartwright of Bryant; three stepdaughters, Cheryl Hopper and Patricia Stanton, both of Fort Smith, and Karen Mahoney of Maumelle; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Stanton, Cory Hopper, John W. Ayers Jr., Jody Ayers, Randy Ayers, B.G. Hendrix, Jess Lewis, Gene Rapley, John Sullivan and Bud Lewis.
Family will visit with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 292, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
John also enjoyed hydroplane boat racing; he was a three-time world champion. He was also a lifetime supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the UA Fort Smith Lions, formerly the Westark Lions, and Oaklawn thoroughbred racing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter W. Ayers and Doris S. Ayers.
A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at First United Methodist Church with a private family burial at Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma; his sister, Mary Fisk of Logan, Utah; two sons, John W. Ayers of Fort Smith and Bill Ayers of Rogers; one stepson, Jim Hopper of Fort Smith; two daughters, Jane Ayers of Talent, Ore., and Jeana Cartwright of Bryant; three stepdaughters, Cheryl Hopper and Patricia Stanton, both of Fort Smith, and Karen Mahoney of Maumelle; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Stanton, Cory Hopper, John W. Ayers Jr., Jody Ayers, Randy Ayers, B.G. Hendrix, Jess Lewis, Gene Rapley, John Sullivan and Bud Lewis.
Family will visit with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 292, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
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