Obituary of Ronald Dean Ayers

Ronald Dean Ayers, age 82, passed away on June 22, 2025 at Windmill Manor in Coralville, Iowa following an extended illness.

Born on May 26, 1943 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.  Ronald was the son of Clifford Raymond Ayers and Violet May Kelley-Ayers.  He grew up in Iowa City and attended City High School.  Ronald was self-employed most of his life.  Owning and managing his own painting and handyman services.  His family ran business included working with his father, brother, daughters and grandchildren.  Ronald was a member of the Painters Union at different times in his life and attended college to study water and waste management. 

Ronald loved to travel and never knew where his next adventure was going to take him.  He loved his family dearly, taking his grandchildren shopping, to the movies, fishing, on bike rides and reading to them.  He was an avid fisherman which he passed on to his daughters throughout the years.  Ronald was a musician and played drums, guitar and sang vocals in a local band.  Music was his passion.  He played music with his closest friends and demonstrated a natural ability to play the drums keeping the time and feel of the piece being played.  He could be seen and heard drumming, singing and humming throughout the day keeping beat to an invisible song in his head.  Ronald was a friendly, generous, and supportive person who made friends wherever he went, with some lasting a lifetime. 

Ronald is survived by his sister, Diane (Jim) Fowler, Riverside, IA; daughters, Tamara (Keith) Otto, Spokane, WA, Amy (Ken) Harding, North Liberty, IA, and Jennifer (Joe) Vance, Toledo, OH.  Grandchildren, Ron (Jenna) Harding, Solon, IA, Aaron Menke, Kenosha, WI, Isaac Weil, Seattle, WA, Jacob Weil, Seattle, WA, Gabriel Weil, Richland, WA, Cassi Lyn Rastanis, Toledo, OH, Joseph Vance, Toledo, OH, Zach Neudecker, Las Cruces, NM, Sierra (Jason) Taylor, Cripple Creek, CO, Riley Secrest, Truth or Consequences, NM, Elijah Secrest, Albuquerque, NM.  He has seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Rebecca Secrest; a sister, Patricia Ayers-Hinkle; and a brother, Jerry Ayers.

A Graveside services of remembrance will be held, Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11:30 am at the Ridgewood Cemetery, 2246 Scales Bend Road NE, North Liberty, Iowa, 52317.

Arrangements are being made through Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation service, 2720 Muscatine Ave, Iowa City, Iowa 52240.