He is survived by his devoted wife of the home, Peggy Wiggs Ayscue after sixty-eight wonderful years of marriage. He also is survived by one sister, Mary Eleanor Knight of Virginia Beach, Virginia; daughter Donna Lynn Johnson and husband Roger Johnson of Largo, Florida; son Steven O’Briant Ayscue and wife Rocio Ayscue, granddaughters, Natalia, Vittoria, and Andrea Ayscue of Holly Springs, North Carolina; grandson Jason Roger Ayscue, of Raleigh, North Carolina; granddaughter Jessica Lynn Downs and husband Michael Downs and great grandsons, Emmett and Matthew Downs of Angles Camp, California.
Dick graduated from John Graham High School in Warrenton, North Carolina. He immediately enlisted in the U. S. navy at the age of 17 under a minority enlistment until discharged in 1947. He served as an aviation ordnanceman and aerial gunner two combat tours in the Asiatic Pacific area with squadrons VPB4 and VPB13.
He spent his entire career in retailing, beginning at the lowest level with a junior department store L. Herman Inc. in Danville ,Virginia. The store was purchased by Thalhimer Bros. in Richmond Virginia and after working in all phases of the store, was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of the Danville, Virginia Division. While in Danville, he was active in the community, including President of The Danville Retail Merchants Assoc. and member of the Averett University Board of Associates.
Dick and his family moved to Winston Salem in 1969 as executive vice president and director for 13 Thalhimer stores. He had an intense passion and as he called it, to give something back to the community and people who did so much for him. Among the many areas, were Centenary United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of finance, chairman of staff parish relations, member of evangelism committee and usher. He also, was president of the North Carolina State Retail Merchants Association and Winston Salem Retail Merchants Association, on the board for Data Max Corp., chairman of the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee and chairman of the Historic Bethabara Park board of trustees and where he was an avid community gardener.
Dick retired from the Hecht’s Stores after 42 years in retailing.
Funeral services will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston Salem Monday April 30, 2018 at 2:00pm with Reverend Craig Ford. Friends will be received in the church auditorium after the service. Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 West Fifth St., Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101 or Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Rd. Winston Salem, North Carolina.
