Raymond Clifford Ayers

Raymond was born in Los Angeles California on March 7th 1926, moved as a child to Admire Kansas, then to Whittier CA during the depression, then up to Oregon, where he graduated from Medford High School. He entered into the Navy, returned and settled in the Rogue Valley and Applegate area.

Raymond joined the Navy in June 1944. He was Seaman First Class, earning the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal-1Star, American Area Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. In 2017 Raymond and his son, Ray, had the great pleasure of joining a group of WWII veterans on the honor flight to Washington DC. The trip was incredible. The stories were endless and will be a lifetime memory for Ray. To accompany WWII veterans on the Honor Flight and be in their presence was very humbling and such a great pleasure. The honor flight people do such a great job of taking care of our Veterans on the trip and thanking them for their service.

Raymond married Doris Virginia Brown of the Applegate on July 8th, 1946. Doris, his wife of 49 years, preceded him in death. They had two children, Christieann (Randy) Perry and Raymond (Donna) Ayers Jr. They also had four grandchildren, Lynn (Will) Appel, Christopher (Jess) Perry, Michelle Ayers and Brenda (Andy) Price, nine great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

After the death of Doris, Raymond married Edyth Vinson of Medford, Oregon and further extended his family with two step children, Mike (Carol) Vinson and Mark (Janet) Vinson, seven grandchildren, Melissa Vinson, Michelle Gowins, Monica Vinson, Madeline Vinson, Brian Vinson, Chris Vinson, Nicole Vinson and five great grandchildren.

Raymond had a huge heart. He was lovingly known as “BAPA” to all who knew him, named by his first grandchild Lynn. He loved each and every one of us. He lived life to the full, honest, and came from a generation where a handshake and your word was more binding than a signature. He teased, laughed and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was known to give everyone a nick name, names that you became known by… great names like Shorty, Ding, Dag, Beaner, Bozo, and Catfish. Every name had a meaning.

Raymond was a jack of all trades. To list his accomplishments might be more difficult than listing what he did not do. A few of his activities include J R Equipment, Sam Jennings, Brake Bonders, driving log truck, water truck, Cat equipment, Fire Timber watch, Snowbird bartender and more. His talent to fix and repair was incredible.

He loved to travel and did lots of it. He never met a person he did not like. Those who met him along his path remember him. He had a contagious smile, strong hand shake and an outlook on life that said “I am here for you, if you need me.” He had a saying for a few of us girls in his life…“it is just as easy to keep the top half full as it is the bottom half”, as he showed up to pour gas in our tank along the side the road.

Raymond was preceded in death by his first wife Doris Ayers, son in-law Randy Perry and step-son Mike Vinson. This family was and is so blessed to have grown up with him. He showed strength to the end and was peacefully taken home when his time had come.

Raymond would pack a stadium with those that considered him a friend. A private service will be held for Raymond at the Eagle Point VA Cemetery. Unfortunately, with the current pandemic, we need to keep the service private.

If you wish, donations may be made in Raymond’s name to Honor Flight Oregon (Honorflight.org).

This outstanding organization deserves and needs our help creating unforgettable memories, like the ones shared by Raymond and his son.

Arrangements made by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives: www.dignitymemorial.com