James "J.C." Clifford Ayers

James “J.C.” Clifford Ayers, age 88, a World War II veteran, passed away at his home in Wildwood, Georgia on Thursday November 20, 2014 surrounded by his family. Born on April 3, 1926 in Wheelwright, Kentucky, his family moved to Trenton, Georgia, in 1935. On his eighteenth birthday he joined the US Navy, serving on the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh as an aircraft spotter. He served throughout the Pacific, including action at Iwo Jima and Kyushu, Japan. He would later found the USS Pittsburgh Association, serving as president for 22 years. He was named Honorary Captain and received the ship’s bell and other gifts at the ship’s 25threunion in 2002. He was a longtime member of the Wildwood Methodist Church, where he met his future wife, Betty Jo Hunt, to whom he was married for sixty-six years. As a Biblical scholar Mr. Ayers served as a lay speaker on many occasions and was a church deacon. He was a 32nd-degree Mason and belonged to the Alhambra Shrine in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He founded the North Georgia Heating and Air Conditioning Company which won Small Business of the Year in 1999 from the Dade County Chamber of Commerce. The business won many awards over the years, allowing Betty and him to travel the world. They sold the business 29 years later and retired in 1990. He served as treasurer of the Air Conditioning Contractors Association as well as an officer in numerous other organizations: Jaycees, Lions Club, North Dade Elementary School PTA, Dade County High School PTA, North Dade Volunteer Fire Department, and among others. He was instrumental in establishing the Dade County Industrial Development Authority, which enabled Dade County to grow and prosper. Known for his generosity, he purchased and donated the land, and heating and air conditioning for the North Dade Community Church as well as the North Dade Community Center. He donated heating and air conditioning systems to numerous churches and the poor. He enjoyed gospel music throughout his life and was in several quartets. His main hobby was buying and restoring antique cars and a 1936 Oldsmobile that still sits in his garage, and sentimental reminder of the one he had when he and Betty first married. He was preceded in death by his father Herschel Ayers of Green Mountain, NC; his mother Lucy Ayers Brock of Wildwood, GA and brothers Bill and Franklin Brock. He is survived by his wife Betty Hunt Ayers of Wildwood, GA; daughter Diane Hoffman of Atlanta, GA; sons Larry Ayers and Eric Ayers of Wildwood, GA, grandson Jason Pless; great-grandsons Pheonix, Noah, Wyatt, and Hudson Pless of Canton, Georgia; sister Sonia Hunt; brothers Doug Brock, Gary Brock, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life service will be held 2 PM Sunday November 23, 2014 in the chapel with Rev. Jerry Atkins officiating. Family will receive friends 4 PM until 7 PM Saturday and Noon until service time Sunday at Ryan Funeral Home, Trenton, GA. Interment will be held at 10:30 AM Monday November 24, 2014 at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. Family would like to extend a special Thank You to Hospice of Chattanooga for the love and care received. Pallbearers will be Doug Brock, Mike Hunt, David Warren, Gene Warren, Dick Mahan, and Phil Rodman.

James "J.C." Clifford Ayers

April 3, 1926 - November 20, 2014