Tim Ayers

Thomas G. (Tim) Ayers, Jr

San Francisco video and TV artist, jazz aficionado, Giants fan, and active companion to a wide circle of friends, Tim Ayers died in San Francisco on Monday, October 7.

Born on May 7, 1943 in Chicago, Tim grew up in an exceptional family of five. A gregarious type, he was voted most popular by his classmates in the Class of '61 at Glenbard High School. He was active in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house when he attended the University of Michigan, where his parents had met as freshmen in the early 1930s.

His dad Tom was a renowned Chicago business and civic leader and his mother Mary was a naturalist who imparted to Tim her love of trees, birds and flowers. He could identify any bird in his back yard or on the coast.

Tim moved to San Francisco with his wife, Carole Radloff, in 1968, and bought a home near the panhandle of Golden Gate Park. Thus began life in San Francisco and the adventures of the past 45 years, from the cultural and political revolutions to the artistic blossoming of music and video art. He loved its history, its special culture and its people. A legendary conversationalist, he passed forward the city's lore and legends.

Tim launched his media career here at age 25 when he began to work for KPIX Channel 5. He was a cameraman for 49ers games on CBS, and was a co-founder of the Pier 42 Group, a premier collaboration among independent film and video craftsmen and craftswomen who worked on many significant projects in the Bay Area and beyond. He ended his career editing news for KTVU Channel 2.

Tim married a second time, to Brenn Lea Pearson, for thirteen years. He had friends and confidants from all walks of life, all who remember his openness and good advice. He could discuss most anything, and was a trusted adviser, a dear friend and confidant and a dazzling raconteur. Most of all, he was loyal and steadfast with all his friends and his extended family - most notably his 10 nieces and nephews, who loved hanging with Uncle Tim.

Tim adored a party and was a delightful barstool companion. He had many friends and admirers in the city's legendary taverns. A jazz fan, he was a regular at 7 Mile House, Yoshi's and the jazz joints in the Dog Patch. He was also a regular at the Bell Tower, the 3300 Club and a variety of bars around town.

A fanatical season ticket holder, Tim seldom missed a Giants game at AT&T Park in his retirement years (including catching each and every spring training game in Scottsdale, AZ). His wardrobe was mostly orange and black. He held court at the Public House every game day.

Tim faced the end of his life with grace and courage, and he passed away quickly as he had wanted.

He is survived by his sister Cathy Allen of Ann Arbor (and her husband Jim and nieces Shannon Asaria and Kim Allen); his brother Bill of Chicago (Bernardine Dohrn and nephews Zayd Dohrn, Malik Dohrn, and Chesa Boudin); his brother Rick of Oakland (Ilene Abrams and nieces Aisha Ayers and Sonia Abrams and nephew Max Abrams); and his youngest brother John of New Orleans (Judi Minter and nieces Maya Minter and Dede Minter).

A memorial service will be held at the Public House at AT&T Park on Friday, November 8, at 1:30 PM and will continue at the Bell Tower on Polk Street at 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Giants Community Fund, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, SF 94107 in support of the Junior Giants program.