John Edward Ayers, Jr.

On August 5,2024, God walked up to John and said, “I have something that I need fixed, would you come and take a look and fix it?” John replied, “Sure thing, what have you got?” 

John was often found by his wife and children, wearing his favorite red t-shirt and blue jeans, tinkering with things. He had a knack for fixing things, be it a faulty electrical switch or broken-down car. If someone needed his help, he was there to do it. 

John Edward Ayers, Jr was born to John Edward and Goldie (Burnham) Ayers on November 2,1937 and his life of adventure began. John graduated high school in Baldwin City, Kansas and then went to Wichita State University where he met his future wife Andrea Kathleen “Kathy” Beemer. John served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and finished out his 20yrs of service with the Kansas National Guard. John worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an engineer and then retired to do maintenance work at his church, Most Pure Heart of Mary. John never really took to the idea of retirement, as he “retired” 3 times. 

One job he never retired from was Scouting. John loved being a member of the Boy Scouts of America (Scouting USA) since he was a young boy and shared his passion for lifelong learning with his family and friends in Scouting his entire life. The list of scouts he is preceded by and survived by is very long, but he is in heaven with some great scouts like Paul Goebel and Jim Erwin. 

In addition to camping and scouting, John loved motorcycles. He spent many a summer on his motorcycle with a side car taking his daughters camping all over the US. John loved racing dirt bikes as well but decided that since there wasn’t an over 70 class for Hare Scrambles, that he should stop racing. 

John is preceded in death by his mother and father, his sisters, Connie and Betty, and his brother Nick. John is survived by his wife Kathy; his children by blood and by love, Mark and Penny Ayers, Janice K Ayers and MJ Krasny, Jennifer and Justin Leigh, Andrea Ayers and Randy McCune; his niece Dee Dee Harvey-Bergeron; his Grandchildren Alex Ayers, Shianne Gentry, Cody Leigh, Emily Leigh, and Cody Randall; and his Great Grandchildren Johnny, Serenity, Kendra and Leighla. 

Memorial visitation will be held from 10-11:00 A.M., on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 11:00 A.M., at the church. Internment of John’s ashes will be made into Leavenworth National Cemetery at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John’s name to the Jayhawk Area Council – Boy Scouts of America 1020 SE Monroe St, Topeka, KS 66612 to be placed in a fund for youth to be able to go to Summer Camp and Philmont Scout Ranch. 

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com. 

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.