Terry Lee Ayres

With his family by his side, Terry Lee Ayres passed from this life on Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Cremation has taken place, and his ashes will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery according to his wishes. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at a later date.

Terry was born and raised in Detroit, the youngest of five children born to John Ayres and Julia (Supina) Ayres. He attended Robinson Elementary and Denby High school, graduating in 1967. He attended Wayne State University before being drafted to serve with the United States Army’s 7/17 Air Cavalry in Vietnam from 1969 - 1970. After his return from military service, Terry was hired by the F. Joseph Lamb Company where he completed a Tool and Die apprenticeship. He worked in the trades until his retirement from the General Motors Orion Assembly Plant in 2010.

In 1974, Terry met his future wife, Lynn. They were both residents of the “Don Juan” apartments near Indian Village in Detroit where Terry was part time caretaker. They met at an impromptu party, became inseparable, and were married the following year. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 26th. They made their home, and raised their two children, Jeremy and Emily, in a lovely wooded neighborhood in Clarkston, where they lived for the next 36 years.

Despite his many health challenges over the years, Terry maintained a positive attitude and a cheerful disposition. He loved music, movies, card games and dominoes, going on family vacations, and most of all just spending time with his family. He was a very present “Papa” to his grandchildren, and they loved him dearly. He was a serious hobbyist, starting at a young age with model cars, and continuing in later years with his slot car track which took over the basement and provided countless hours of fun and entertainment at family gatherings.

In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by his sisters; Gloria (Albert) Schulte, and Joanne (Henry) White, and by his brother Ed (Diana) Ayres.

Left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss are his wife Lynn, his children; Jeremy (Kristyn) Ayres, and Emily (Jon) Maccombs, his grandchildren; Wyatt and Alma Maccombs, Stella and Reed Ayres, his brother; John (Dee) Ayres, numerous nieces and nephews, and his life-long best friend, Carl Noble.

May he now rest in peace.