Gordon Sumner Ayers

Gordon Ayers passed away on February 3, 2021 at the age of 98 in Ontario, CA. He was born December 13, 1922, in Ontario, CA and was a lifelong resident of the local area. He was a graduate of Chaffey High School, Chaffey Junior College and the Fred Archer School of Photography.

In 1939 he met the love of his life and life partner, Shirley "Trink". They were married for 67 years. In 1942 Gordon joined the Army Coast Artillery and was soon transferred to the Army Air Force at March AFB in Riverside, CA. Gordon and Shirley married in 1943 and 11 days later Gordon was called to service in the Pacific Theater moving from island to island where he was responsible for processing aerial film shot of bombing runs for analysis. This is where his lifelong love of photography began. He returned home in 1945 and was Honorably Discharged.

In 1948 Gordon and Shirley opened a small portrait studio in Ontario where Gordon also did wedding and commercial photography. In 1949 they started raising a family. Business continued to expand and eventually grew into four retail camera stores and a processing lab, all in the surrounding communities. Gordon Ayers Camera Shoppes were well known and respected along with his popular photo classes. He retired in 1980, selling all of the stores.

Gordon was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ontario. He was past president of the Ontario Optimist Club, served on the Salvation Army board and the San Antonio Community Hospital board. He devoted much time to community service and helping others. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. Gordon was an avid and accomplished gardener and could make anything grow.

Gordon loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and lived a life of faith and service to Him.

Gordon is survived by his daughter Lynda (Dave) Laycock, Yucaipa; four grandchildren Jan (Eric) Jin, Ali (Kevin) Kruze, Eric (Kara) Laycock and Kevin (Teresa) Laycock; Eight great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, daughter Judy Hayden Ayers, granddaughter Michelle Laycock, father Oscar, mother Lunar, a brother Oscar and sisters Dorothy Besselman, June Ruff Henderson and Barbara Fleming.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ontario.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 10:30am at Bellevue Memorial Park Mausoleum, 1240 West G Street, Ontario, CA 91762.