Richard Frank Ayo

Richard spent most of his life in Morgan City, Louisiana, and pursued many interests and occupations through the years. He served in the Air Force after high school and was stationed at a radar installation in Iceland for part of his time in the military.

One of his fondest memories was of beekeeping in his twenties. He enjoyed working with honeybees and produced thousands of pounds of honey, which he sold to a bottling company in Louisiana for distribution. Richard’s passion for beekeeping helped to fund another project in his younger years – building his own tugboat, a monumental accomplishment of which he was very proud. He worked as a ship fitter, draftsman, and welder in various jobs until his early thirties. Richard returned to school to learn electronics repair, and in the 1980s and 90s he owned and operated Ayo & Son TV Service in Morgan City, where he repaired TVs, VCRs, and microwaves.

In retirement, he lived in Colorado for a while to be near family, and then in several areas in south central Missouri. In 2024, Richard relocated to San Antonio, Texas, to be near his son, Lane. There he found a renewed social life in his senior living community. He especially enjoyed shooting pool and playing chess with Lane, as well as playing bingo and working jigsaw puzzles with new friends.

Richard loved nature, science, and the joy of learning new things. He was quick to help neighbors and friends and frequently looked for ways to be of service.

He is survived by his son, Lane Ayo of San Antonio, his dear friend Leticia Rutoskey, and extended family and friends in Colorado, Louisiana, and Missouri.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice and Gaston Ayo, and siblings, Thomas Ayo, Marguerite (Ayo) Wilson, and Stephen Ayo.

A memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 3:00 pm, at First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78215.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) https://christianassistanceministry.org/donate/ in San Antonio in his honor.