Obituary of Ira M. Ayers

Ira M. Ayers, Jr. Age 86 – Randolph Ira M. Ayers, Jr., a lifelong resident of the community, passed away on April 4, 2016, following a progressive illness. Ira was born on July 18, 1929 in Wharton. He was the son of the late Ira M. Ayers, Sr. and Leila (Hopler) Ayers. Ira grew up in Dover and graduated from Dover High School. He received his mechanical engineering degree from Cornell University. On March 22, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart Cynthia Cooper. A veteran of the Korean War, Ira was an officer in the Air Force. He was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio until the war’s end. In 1954 Cynthia and Ira built their home in Randolph, where they raised four children and lived for 62 years. Ira and his father purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Dover and transformed it into one of Dover’s major employers. Ira presided over the dealership for over 40 years. Ira was dedicated to the community. He served on the board of directors for United Jersey Bank, The Salvation Army and had been the vice chairman for the Dover General Hospital Board of Trustees. Ira also belonged to the Dover Rotary and became an honorary lifetime member. Ira was an avid sportsman. He was an active member of the Amwell Valley Conservancy, the Sparta-Lake Mohawk Shooting Club and the Ironia Outdoorsmen. He enjoyed shooting sporting clays, upland hunting and the pursuit of big game. He enjoyed skiing with the family and rarely missed any of his children’s sporting events. He was an accomplished woodcraftsman and the consummate engineer. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time with their grandchildren. In addition to his wife of 64 years, Ira is survived by his four children and their spouses: Nancy (William) Bodwell, Fred (Bonnie) Ayers, David (Laura) Ayers, Melanie (Richard) Taylor ; and nine grandchildren: Matthew (Kristy) Bodwell, Kristin (Jesse) Haines, David Bodwell, LeeAnn Nunnery, Julie Ayers, Stephen Ayers, Kathleen Ayers, Cynthia Taylor and Wilson Taylor. A visitation will be held at the Tuttle Funeral Home in Randolph on Thursday, April 7 from 2-4 & 6-8. A memorial service will be held at the Mt. Fern Methodist Church on Friday, April 8 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Dover Rotary Club, PO Box 44, Dover, NJ 07802 or to the Mt Fern Methodist Church, Quaker Church Rd, Randolph, NJ 07869.