Leonard Lyman Ayres

Leonard Lyman Ayres passed away March 6. He was born on February 7, 1938, the only child of Leonard Foster Ayres and Wilma Jennings Ayres in Worland, Missouri. He attended Rich Hill High School, Rich Hill, Missouri and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he was instrumental in establishing and developing the FBI's Automation program. Upon retirement, he served as the Executive Director for the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office. In 2009 he was the recipient of the Leavenworth County Law Day Liberty Bell Award.

Leonard was a member of the High Prairie Church where he served as an elder. He was President of Leavenworth Gideons International, President of the Kansas City FBI Alumni Association and President of Neighborhood House. He was a member of the Salvation Army Board and many committees of the First United Methodist Church. He was Scout Master for Troop 173 for 10 years; during which time all three of his sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

At 19 years of age, Leonard bought his first car-a black and white 1957 Chevy--and has been a passionate lover of 1950's cars since that time. He owned a completely restored 1956 Chevy and a 1951 Chevy truck and was a member of the Kansas City Veteran Car Club. After retirement, he was a member of the early morning Corner Pharmacy Coffee Group and he served as a courier for Zeck Ford.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, his three sons, Michael Leonard (Suzy) Jack, Joseph, Caroline and Natalie; David Victor (Traci) Lily, Lexi and Lydia; Matthew Lynn (Sylvia) Abel and Cecilia; sisters-in-law Rosalee Dark Myers Craig and Donna Dark; nieces and nephews Clancy Myers, Beth Ann Devrow, Darby

Smiley, Jayme Buresh, Lance Murray, Kevin Murray, Kelly Werkowitch; and cousins Rosemary Smith,

Nancy Lee and Peggy Jo Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Mary Murray

and brothers-in-law James Dark, Jim Murray, Bob Myers and Bob Craig.

The burial service will be at Salem Cemetery, Foster, Missouri, at 10:30 pm Friday, April 3rd. Visitation is at High Prairie Church, Leavenworth, Kansas, on Saturday, April 4th 9-10:00, and a celebration of life at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Gideons or High Prairie Church.