Kim “Jay” Ayers, passed away February 25, 2022, at the age of 67 in his
home in Palco, Kansas. He was born on September 5, 1954, in Colby, Kansas, to William Carson Ayers and his wife Thelma Katherine (Rose) Ayers.
Jay started his life in Rexford, Kansas on a family farm with his
two parents and his eight siblings. While Jay and his brothers went to
school, they worked the farm with their father to help support the
family. Later he attended Hill City High School and found his passion
for playing basketball. In between schoolwork, chores, and basketball,
Jay graduated high school in 1972.
After a few run-ins with the law, Jay fell in love with the deputy’s
daughter, Lana Lynne White. After a year of courting, he married Lana
on August 4, 1979, on her birthday, in Hays, Kansas. It was then he
gained two beautiful daughters, Kimberly and Jessica Pratt.
Jay and Lana moved to Bird City, Kansas, where he fathered his first
son, Zachery Jay Ayers in 1980. After trialing through some tough times,
it was then Jay’s brother Larry, convinced him and his family to move
to Roundup, Montana. This just so happened to be his dream location to
raise his family.
In 1982, Jay fathered his second son Dustin Jay Ayers, and the family
eventually made their way to Musselshell, Montana. Jay served in the
oil field in a supervisor position for 13 years while enjoying the
luxuries of the Musselshell River fishing with his family.
Jay and his family enjoyed many nights bowling, watching movies,
hunting, fishing, and camping. Many fun memories were made, we are still
NOT talking about that ONE movie!
Eventually Jay and his family made their way home to Palco, Kansas
where he had his brother Kenny close by to help him stay IN trouble. Jay
worked for Murfin Drilling out of Logan, Kansas as a pumper for many
years until he retired at the age of 61. Jay loved being able to work
outdoors and was very good at what he did.
Jay spent out the days of his retirement with his family and
friends. He loved nothing more than taking drives in the country with
his wife of 42 years, Lana, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs win a
Super Bowl. Jay loved to hunt, fish, bird watch and if ever MIA, could
look for a missing fishing pole and find him at the nearest body of
water. Jay loved people and he never met a single stranger in his life,
they were just friends he hadn’t met yet.
Jay is survived by his mother, Thelma K. Jarrett; wife, Lana Ayers;
two gifted daughters, Kimberly and Jessica Pratt; sons, Zachery Ayers
and Dustin (Chantel) Ayers; seven grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father, William Ayers; brothers,
Alvin, Larry, Gerald, and Kenny Ayers; sisters, Shirley Griggs, Lucille
Ayers, Linda Ayers, Brenda Billinger; and grandchildren, Whitney Horton
and Kayla Hartwell.
Jay Ayers’ life was full of love, laughter and good times. He loved
his life to the very fullest and enjoyed every second of it. He loved
his family and friends dearly and wants everyone to go listen to Halls
of Karma by Black Oak Arkansas in his memory.
Services are pending at this time.
Memorials are suggested to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home to go
towards a monument and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral
Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663. Online condolences can be
left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.