Fred D. Ayer

Fred D. Ayer, 69, of Tallahassee died on Tuesday, May 26th, 2015 at his home on Lake Tallavana. Fred was born in Vineland, New Jersey on June 28th, 1945, the son of Captain Elliot Dean Ayer of Massachusetts and Marguerite Clark Ayer (Savage) of Tallahassee. He is survived by his daughters, Kim McWilliams (Shannon) of Tallahassee, Florida and Mindy Lee (Miles) of Crawfordville, Florida, and the love of his life, his four grandchildren, Kolby, Kyle, Gavin and Karis, his brother Boyd Ayer (Cheryl) and two nephews, Billy and Brady Ayer, of Wichita, Kansas. Fred also leaves behind his special friend, Ann Deloney of Loganville, GA and many wonderful friends and acquaintances that call him their “hero.”

Although Fred was born in New Jersey, he would be the first to tell you that he lived many lives … and most of those were right here in Tallahassee. At a young age, Fred began his first life … Fred the Athlete. He was a very accomplished athlete and excelled in football and track at RAA Middle School and it wasn’t long before he won 1st place in the Final AAU Jr. Olympics for the 100 Yard Dash in 1961. His determination to be the best fueled him further when he began to compete for Florida High on the track field earning him the name “Fast Freddy” to all that knew him. While at Florida High, Fred shattered state records and at one point was deemed the “fastest 11th grader in the nation” by running a 9.3 100-yard dash. When interviewed for the Jacksonville Times-Union, Fred stated, “I started running hogs and rabbits and I haven’t stopped yet!” There are very few that knew him that have not heard the story of how he beat Bob Hayes on the track during a practice one day, but you didn’t hear it from Fred, you heard that story from people who were there and witnessed it. Fred was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments as an athlete when he was inducted into the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1991 and to this day, he still holds records at his alma mater, Florida High.

Fred went on to receive a full scholarship for football at Florida State University but a knee injury forced him from the field. It was then that another of Fred’s lives began … Fred the Patriot. In May of 1964, Fred enlisted in the United States Army and after basic training was sent to Ft. Benning for jump school. After completion, he was assigned to the 82ndAirborne in Ft. Bragg and shortly thereafter was sent to combat in the Dominican Republic which was in the midst of a Civil War. After spending several months there, Fred was assigned to the 1st of the 5th Calvary Division in Pleiku, Vietnam. Fred landed in Vietnam during the battle of Ia Drang, which was the first major engagement of American troops in the Vietnam War. Fred served his country with honor and was awarded a Silver Star by the President for his bravery on the 15th of September, 1966 , when he carried four wounded comrades one at a time through enemy fire where they were evacuated to safety. Fred was honorably discharged by the US Army in May of 1967 and subsequently was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart.

After coming back home to Tallahassee, another of Fred’s lives began … Fred the Father. Fred’s first child, Kimberly, was born in 1968 followed by Mindy in 1974. Fred doted on his “girls” and took them hunting and fishing from a young age. Fred worked for the Tallahassee Police Department from 1969 to 1972 before going to work as a coach and Dean of Students at both Lincoln and Leon high school. For a time, Fred left his home and ran to the call of the wild in beautiful Ontario, Canada. While there, he ran a hunting and fishing camp that you could only get to by plane. He was in his element as a wilderness guide fighting off wolves and bears in what we called his “Jeremiah Johnson Life”. He missed his children and his home and when he returned, his love of the outdoors drove Fred to pursue a career in State Government and in 1987 he was appointed as Director of Greenways and Trails with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. A steward of the land he loved so much.

After his retirement in 1995, Fred began another of his lives … Fred the Photographer. For years Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing like any man raised in North Florida but as he aged he turned into what he would call a “kinder … gentler” version of Fred. Fred loved to photograph wildlife and his beautiful native forgotten coast such as the St. Marks Lighthouse. He was as patient as they come, waiting hours for the perfect shot of a bald eagle, a panther or that flawless foggy sunrise. His photographs hung in the Florida Capitol as well as the Secretary’s office of DEP.

Even as Fred aged and his body began to retaliate against his ever present desire to continue to be the outdoorsman he was, he never ceased to entertain everyone with the stories of his many “lives”. His favorite quote, “Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.” Luckily for us, Fred really lived, and will continue to live in the eyes of his children and grandchildren for generations to come.

Fred's family will hold a visitation at 2pm and a memorial service at 3pm at Culley's Meadow Wood at 1737 Riggins Road in Tallahassee on Sunday, May 31st. At a later date, there will be a full military funeral with honors at the Tallahassee National Cemetery when it opens later this summer. Donations in Fred's memory can be made to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3308, 2769 West Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32304.