Obituary of James T. Oliver Ayers

James T. Oliver Ayers, 84 of Melbourne, Florida, passed away on Saturday, February 17th, 2024. He was born in Tunkhannock, PA on October 26th, 1939, and was one of 12 children of Duane B. and Thelma L. Ayers also of Tunkhannock. After attending Tunkhannock High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957, trained for communications at Keesler AFB in Biloxi Mississippi and was immediately transferred to a remote site in Honshu, Japan where he specialized in close contact by morse code. After returning to the US, he began 23 ½ years of employment at the Proctor and Gamble plant in Mehoopany, PA and in 1972 received certification as a private pilot. In 1981, he married Dorothy Mahoney and they enjoyed a very happy marriage of 43 years. As a volunteer, he worked for 27 years at Ascension Catholic Church thrift store in Melbourne, Florida.

He is survived by his sister Christine King of Largo, Florida, his brothers Williard Ayers of Cortland, NY, and Kenneth Ayers .of Castle Creek, NY. His stepchildren, Debra Bowen of Melbourne, Florida, Karen and Kevin Mitchell of Springville, PA, Linda Mahoney of Laceyville, PA and Kevin and Irene Mahoney of Randolph, NJ. He is also survived by 12 step grandchildren, 21 step great grandchildren and 5 step great great grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his sisters, Delores, Louise, Betty, Eleanor and Alice, brothers Bob, Dwayne, Tom and stepson, Michael Mahoney.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, Florida on Tuesday, February 27th at 1 pm. Interment will be held at Stowell, PA. A memorial service will be held in PA at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to :

Dorothy Ayers

4891 Erin Lane

Melbourne, FL 32940