Roger Neil Ayres

He was a native Austinite, graduating from Austin High School, and then earned his college degree at The University of Texas at Austin where he met the love of his life, Carolyn Sue ("Susie") Newton, while working part-time at the Capitol sitting across from each other. He was notorious for intentionally aggravating her so she couldn’t help but say “yes” when he proposed soon thereafter, spending money on a ring in lieu of them attending the highly anticipated OU game against Texas. They were married 63 years.

Roger was always first to the punch. Instead of being drafted to the military for three years, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War. After moving to various places over the years, they decided to settle in Austin to raise their two girls. Roger loved boating on Lake Travis and always had his girls with him, teaching them how to ski and making sure they knew where all the sand bars were, and there were a lot! When asked what he wanted for his birthday, he always said "boat, motor and trailer!"

In the early 1970s, he discovered his love for dog training, obtaining two championships in obedience. After many years of dog training, he became an AKC obedience judge, which led to a full-time job with The American Kennel Club, retiring after twenty years. He also retired from the State of Texas after working for twenty-one years in computer programming. In addition to dog training, he also found a love for golf. On any given morning, you would find him on the golf course either playing or practicing golf. He played so often and was such a perfectionist that he told Susie he was unable to play with his wedding ring on any longer as it was interfering with his swing. She laughed and was fine with that, but he now has his wedding ring on his finger once again! Roger and Susie were members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, where many of his family members still attend. Roger was always known for his smile, in fact, people often commented that he had the same smile in every photograph taken.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, David Charles Ayres and Mary Jane Bates Ayres; brothers, Dale and Gordon Ayres; a nephew, Rusty Ayres; brother-in-law Ish Harper; and a great grandson, Peyton Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Ayres; brother Charles (JoAnn) and sister Iris (Norvel), both from Austin, Texas, sister-in-law Janice Harper from Waco, Texas; daughters Pam Folsom from Waco, Texas, and Cathy Lamm (Joe) from San Marcos, Texas; grandchildren Brittany Pilant (Greg) from Waco, Texas, Brian Folsom from Leander, Texas, Lindsay Smith Lamm from San Angelo, Texas, Tyler Lamm from Austin, Texas, and Marshall Lamm (Alexis) from Kyle, Texas; great grandchildren Colton Smith and Payton Pilant; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas, on February 1, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., with the viewing at 1:00 p.m. The burial will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or a charity of your choice.