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R. T. Ayers was born August 20, 1927 in Lexington, Kentucky to William Claude and Bessie Brown Ayers, both of Lexington. He died July 26, 2010 in Oklahoma City. He attended Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky.
He worked for Pieratt Appliances, Ervin Air Chute Company and owned The Market Basket grocery store on Shropshire Street, all in Lexington. In 1948 he was married to Peggy Shely Harp of Lexington. Ayers was an entrepreneur and businessman.
In 1957, Ayers moved to Yukon, Oklahoma and joined his brother Craig Ayers in the automobile business. He owned (Cuzn) R.T. Ayers Chevrolet in Yukon for many years. In 1976, Ayers created Republic Gas and Oil, which still operates in Oklahoma City. In
1974, he was married to Joy Yates and they resided in Oklahoma City and Daytona Beach, FL. Ayers was known as a philanthropist, supporting churches and universities in the communities where he lived, including OCU, OSU, Southern Nazarene U, and Dayton Beach Community College. He loved deep sea fishing, coin collecting, and golf. He was a member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, the Masonic Temple, and a longtime supporter of OCU Basketball, often traveling with Abe Lemons and the team.
Ayers was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Craig Ayers of Edmond; Virginia Irwin of Orlando, FL; Louise Dean of Abilene, TX; and Mildred Williams of Wilburton.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Joy Ayers of Oklahoma City; and his children: Tom and Susie Ayers of Edmond, Richard and Dana Ayers of Stillwater, Dianna Ayers of Lexington, KY, Dr. Steve and Jenny Ayers of Carbondale, CO, Kathy and Mike Oyster of Tulsa, Beth and Robert Burnside of Plano, TX, and Sharon and Joe Cannon of Arlington, TX. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Trey and Julie Ayers of Guthrie; Corey Ayers of Oklahoma City; Olivia Ayers of Carbondale, CO; Travis Ayers of Oklahoma City; Allyson Ayers of San Diego, Delanie Ayers of Stillwater; Troy Cannon, Chad and Alicia Cannon, Amy Alexander, and Sara Burnside of Dallas; John Burns of Tulsa; Michelle and Russell Sherwin of Dallas. He is survived by 7 great-grandchildren.
Pall bearers are: Trey Ayers, Travis Ayers, Corey Ayers, Mike Oyster, Robert Burnside, Joe Cannon, Bob Morgan, and Dennis Pealor.
Viewing will be Friday, 9am-9pm with the family present from 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 31, at Mercer-Adams Chapel in Bethany, Oklahoma. Minister for the service is The Rev. Guy C. Ames, Ardmore District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, and in the spirit of Ayers philanthropy, memorial gifts may be sent to The R. T. Ayers Family Scholarship in Nursing at Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City 73106.
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