I love my dad, and I know he loved me and my wife and our children. At the end of phone calls he would often say, "tell Dawn and .." (naming our seven children) "that I love them, and Jesus loves them too." I have always wanted more in relationship
with Dad, but I have no regrets about the relationship that we had.
In the last nine years he had been a passionate Christian. He would often say that God had given him compassion for people. Compassion was not on his agenda before meeting Christ. He would always be looking for opportunities to share Christ with others, and he wanted all the grace that God had to give.
Over the years I have noticed how much my hands looked like my dad's. When I was little his hands were big and strong, he was a man like I wanted to be. Now my hands are the big hands. I want my sons to notice them and desire to be a man like me. With God's help I will be the kind of example of a man that they need to see.
I thank God for my dad. He has been a source of inspiration, wisdom, and strength in our family. He was not perfect (who is?). He was real. As I met people in his church, the dad I knew got bigger. He was a blessing to many. He prayed for people, shared Christ with people, and challenged people in their Christian walk.
Life on this earth will not be the same for us without him, but when it's all been said and done we will rejoice together in heaven over the wonderful things God has done in our lives.
Coleman L Ayersdied 2008-01-19
Coleman Ayers, Man of God, husband, father, brother and grandfather passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. He was born May 3, 1940, in Idabel, Ok. to John Lee and Nettie May Ford Ayers. Coleman married Judy Jay in Lynwood, Calif., on Feb. 24, 1962; she remained by his side for 45 years.
Coleman served his country in the U.S. Army, infantry, and later retired from Lever Bros. The last nine years of his life were completely dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest desire of his life was to tell others about his new life. He constantly read God’s Word – The Bible. He was often blessing people by his words. He enjoyed worshiping God and listening to music that honored his Lord. He had been a member of The Gideon’s International and was on the National Prayer Center staff.
He is survived by wife, Judy; son, Bryan (Dawn) of Prince Edward Island, Canada; daughter, Barbara (Jonathan) of Olathe, Kan.; brothers, Robert (Diane) of New Port Richey, Fla.; Bobbie (Georgina) of Hesperia, Calif.; Tommie (Sharon) of Hesperia, Calif.; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral services will take place Thursday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m. at the World Vision Assembly of God (444 W. 400 N., Vernal). Friends and family may call Wednesday, Jan. 23, from 6 to 8 pm at the Thompson-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and one hour prior to services. Burial will take place in Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.
