Donald David Ayers

1929 - 2014

Donald David Ayers obituary, 1929-2014, San Jose, CA

BORN

1929

DIED

2014

Donald Ayers Obituary

Donald David Ayers
June 4, 1929 ~ August 9, 2014
Resident of San Jose
Don was born on June 4, 1929 in Hollywood, California, the only son of Xenophon V. Ayers and Edna Aldridge Ayers. He passed away peacefully at his home on August 9, 2014 at age 85 of congestive heart failure. He was proud of being a third generation Californian. His grandmother, Camilla Aldridge, was born in Los Angeles in 1889.
Don attended Notre Dame grammar school in Marysville, and graduated from George Washington High School in San Francisco. He obtained his BA degree from San Francisco State University in 1952 and his MA degree in 1958.
Don taught in the San Francisco Unified School District for several years before serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War. In 1960 he accepted a one-year teaching assignment at the Army Dependent School in Karlsruhe, Germany where he met his wife, Nancy Konopka Ayers, also a teacher at the school. They were married in 1961 at the end of the school year and were lucky enough to honeymoon in Juan Le Pins on the French Riviera.
After returning to his teaching position in his beloved San Francisco for several more years, Don and Nancy moved to San Jose where Don had accepted a position as an assistant principal in the Alum Rock Union School District. Thereafter, Don spent many years as the principal at Ryan and McCollam Elementary Schools, and Ocala Middle School. He was blessed to find a career he truly loved.
He was an avid reader and had recently graduated from paper books to e-books. He never met a dog he didn't like. Teddy, a bichon frise, was the dog love of his life. We hope they are together again.
Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy; son Mark and wife Gabriela Camacho; son Shawn and wife Lisa Streeter; and three grandchildren, Alessandra, Bradley, and Annalia.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 5111 San Felipe Road in San Jose. Interment will follow in the Memorial Wall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don's name can be made to St. Francis of Assisi, where Don was a founding member and served in various ministries over the years, or to the San Jose Animal Care Center, 2750 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Aug. 17, 2014.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Ayers

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

Not sure what to say?





I will forever remember Principle Ayers. I was a student at McCullom Elementary school back in the mid 60's. He was the principle there from my Kindergarden years to 5th grade. The one thing I remember most about Mr. Ayers was his smile. He was always smiling and he was always so kind. His kindness and smile were infectious. I am 62 years old now but can still remember him walking down the hallways happy and always saying hi to us kids. I'm sure he is doing the same now.

Andrea Caldera

August 11, 2023

My name is Andrea Caldera. I’m 60 years old and attended McCullem elementary school. For some odd reason Mr. Ayers popped into my head today. 3/6/21. I have no idea why. So I looked him up only to find out he passed away. He was such a great principal and nice man. I still remember him from school. RIP Mr Ayers.

Andrea

Student

March 6, 2021

There are people who are remembered throughout the lives of people they have touched. My very first school was McCollam Elementary in 1970. Mr. Ayers was our principal. He will always be remembered as a good, decent man. It was a really hard time for my family, and he was a voice of kindness in the middle of the chaos. I just happened to look up a name and found his obituary. Rest in Paradise Mr. Ayers.

"..Well done good and faithful servant..." -Matthew 25:23

Elizabeth Santa Ana

February 8, 2019

It was a pleasure to assist Mr.Ayers in compiling his lifetime history photographs. My condolences to the family and to Nancy. See you later to The Silver Fox.

Sharon Anderson

Sharon Anderson

September 1, 2014

It was an honor to have you for my principal during my years at Ocala Middle School, as it was a blessing to have known you. You were a good man and you'll be missed but never forgotten. God Bless.

Richard "David" Anderson

August 27, 2014

Mr. Ayers was a very special principal. I have many good memories of him from my years at McCollam school. I know he really touched all the students lives in some way :-)

Carol

August 19, 2014

Mr.Ayers was a great principal, I had the pleasure to have him both at McCollum elementary & Ocala middle school, he was a very fair individual and was always willing to help students in many ways. RIP Mr.Ayers.

Deborah Riojas-Hernandez

August 19, 2014

Remembering Don fondly as a wonderful administrator and caring fellow staff member during our years together at Ryan School.
Sincerely,
Barbara Ilg Bostwick

August 19, 2014

My Ayers was a FANTASTIC principal. I attended Ocala in 1983-1986 and he was always very friedly to all the students and was always sure to leave his door open if you needed to talk. May he rest in peace. His memory will forever live on.

Trina Juarez- Hernandez

August 19, 2014

It was my privilege to have two sons at Ocala Middle School while Don was principal there. I personally selected that school for David and Larry because, as a school board member, I was able to recognize the respect the staff had for him and the sensitivity he had for all his students. He was an educator of top-rate quality and hundreds of students benefitted for life from their middle school experience under his supervision. Thank you, Don, for positively influencing the lives of hundreds of children.

Jeanne Albert

August 19, 2014

Rest in peace, Mr. Ayers.

Frank Shortt

August 18, 2014

To family and friends please accept our sincere condolences and be assured that God will hear your prayers and provide comfort and hope during this most difficult time. (Psalm 65:20 "O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come.

S. Hill

August 18, 2014

Mr. Ayers positively impacted my life as a Mom & teacher at McCollum School. He was always so respectful & patient to teachers, parents & students. Thank you for making a positive impact on me professionally & my family. RIP

Cindy Duarte

August 17, 2014

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results

Make a Donation
in Donald Ayers's name

Memorial Events
for Donald Ayers

Aug

22

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Church

5111 San Felipe Road, San Jose, CA

How to support Donald's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Donald Ayers's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more