Ray Rolland Ayers, 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 4, 2024 in Houston, Texas. He was born on October 31, 1940 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to the late Raymond Marion Ayers and Beatrice Rolland Ayers. He met the love of his life, Carolyn Lee Kerr, in 1960 while attending Ole Miss, and they were married on January 26, 1964 in Marianna, Arkansas. They shared 60 loving years together and were blessed with 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Carolyn (Houston, TX); daughter and sons: Cheryl and Bob Sauls (Pearland, TX), Tom and Debbie Ayers (Houston, TX), Andy and Sadie Ayers (Hewitt, TX); grandchildren; and his sister Kay Scudder and Col. W.I. (Sun City, FL). Grandchildren: Joe and Hope Ayers, Holly and Matt Dusang, Katelyn Sauls, Casey Sauls, Jonathan Ayers, Alissa Ayers, and Hailey Sauls.
Ray received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Honors) in 1963 from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Science in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Alabama in 1968, and a Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston in 1973.
He started his career working at Brown Engineering in Huntsville, Alabama in the aerospace industry from 1963 - 1968, then worked in research and research management for Shell Oil Company in Houston from 1968 - 1999, choosing to retire after 31 years. He then worked as a consultant for Stress Engineering Services in Houston from 1999 to 2015. From 1988 to 1992 Ray served as the Chairman of the Offshore Supervisory Committee of the American Gas Association. During his professional career, Ray received the following awards:
* 1993 – Gas Industry Research Award from the American Gas Association
* 2008 – Corporate Leadership Award by Minerals Management Service
* 2009 – Silver Patent Award from ASME International Petroleum Technology Institute
* 2015 – Offshore Technology Conference Heritage Award
* 2022 – Named Pioneer in Technology by the Oilfield Energy Center
* Offshore Energy Center Technology Hall of Fame, Drilling Technology in Combination with Construction Technology for Polyester Deepwater Mooring Systems
* Offshore Energy Center Technology Hall of Fame, Production Technology for Steel Catenary Riser
He lived his life always showing God’s grace as a faithful and loving husband, an encouraging and wise father, a caring and witty grandfather. Ray, along with Carolyn, was very active at their Church home of 45 years, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, where he faithfully sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served in many other varied capacities. He played an active role in his children’s lives, coaching baseball, softball and basketball during their youth and supported all of his grandchildren’s interests by attending every concert, recital or game that he could. Ray was an avid Astros fan and enjoyed his mini-season tickets as well as spring training trips to Florida sporadically. The most meaningful times for Ray were family gatherings and he played a key role in organizing them so everyone could share time together.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday May 29, 2024 at 2pm at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MDUMC Music Ministries in
honor of Ray Ayers. Checks can be sent to Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079 with a note indicating Ray Ayers - Music Ministries.
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