John "Craig" Ayers

John "Craig" Ayers died on February 27, 2026 at his home in Colo, Iowa surrounded by his family. Craig was born to Frank and Ethel (Hess) Ayers on September 19,1955 and grew up in Coon Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1974, after graduation he attended Peru College in Peru, Nebraska on a wrestling scholarship. Craig worked many jobs in Coon Rapids – Coast to Coast, Ford Sales for Al Headly, a police officer and at Hybrid with his good friend Neil Gute, doing construction work. He left Coon Rapids for Nevada, IA in 1986. In Nevada, Craig started his 27-year career with Ron Wiley Ford which was later purchased by Ames Ford where he continued to work for 7 years until he retired in 2019.

On August 18, 1990, he married Vickie Ferguson in Ames, Iowa. Craig's greatest pride and joy were his four daughters and ten grandchildren, and he never missed an opportunity to share stories about them with anyone who would listen. Craig enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life – hunting, fishing, trapping, swimming, and karaoke.

Craig was the kind of man who made the world feel smaller and kinder, because to him, no one was ever a stranger. With an easy smile and a listening ear, he had a way of making people feel welcome within moments of meeting him. Friends, family, neighbors, and even casual acquaintances knew they could turn to him without hesitation. He was the steady voice people called when they needed advice, the one who quietly carried others through difficult times. His generosity of spirit and unwavering willingness to help left a lasting imprint on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife Vickie, children Jessica (Brandon) Parde, Lincoln, NE; Ainslie (Tim) Siedschlag, Beatrice, NE; Stephanie (Stuart) Gray, Ankeny, IA; Lindsey (Chris) Dietz, Rapid City, SD. Grandchildren Carson and Alexis Parde; Burke Siedschalg; Dylan, Jackson and Madelyn Gray; Tristan, Cameron, Hayden and Lincoln Dietz. Brothers and sisters Sue Mortensen, Smithville, TN; Janet LaVille, Englewood, CO; Doug (Doung) Ayers, Ames; Lynn (Diane) Ayers, Lake Tapawingo, MO; Pat (Scott) Partridge, Nevada; Pam Ayers, State Center; and Randy (Denise) Ayers, Lidderdale, IA as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Gerald and Lillian Ferguson. Brothers Ken, Joe and Jimmy Ayers, sister Kae Guenther. Sister-in-law Cheryl and husband Ray Thompson. Nephews Keith Ayers and Jim Drury.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, 12:00 - 4:00 PM at Willow Brook Barn, 408 Progress Drive, Colo, IA. Very casual.