Frederic W. Ayres

Frederic W. Ayres of Eau Claire Wisconsin, passed away at Mayo’s Eau Claire Luther Critical Care Unit on December 2, 2024.  He was 97, born in Eau Claire to Albert Owen Ayres and Florence (Schuette) Ayres on October 9th, 1927. 

Growing up in Eau Claire in the 1930’s and 1940’s he developed as an industrious young man that loved athletics and serving others including projects like his World War II (WWII) victory garden (200ft by 100ft).   A notable adventure as a young man included walking home from Sunday school with two friends in 1941.  They were crossing the old Water Street Bridge when it started to collapse.  They ran and had to jump a five-foot gap to make it to safety.   Just as they made it to safety most of the bridge had fallen into the river.

Two summers during WWII Fred worked in Northern Idaho in the US Forest Service.  High school students were recruited because of worker shortages resulting from WWII.  Activities included restoring survey bench marks, fighting summer forest fires, and marking tracks of forest for debris and undergrowth that needed to be removed to reduce fire risk. 

Fred had many fond memories of high school.   This included Class President, prom and other student activities, varsity basketball, and varsity golf.  He was an excellent athlete; lettered all four years of high school.  He took pride in having one of only two letter sweaters at Memorial High School with four varsity-letter-rings on the sleeve.

A scratch golfer, he led the Memorial High School golf team.  He also played point guard on the basketball team.  One of the highlights of his sports career was sinking a half-court shot in the 1946 Wisconsin State High School finals in Madison.  His team was considered the start of the Memorial High School basketball dynasty lasting into the 1980s.   

After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army and served in Korea 1947-1949.  During that period tensions escalated into the Korean War.  He cleared supply warehouses of enemy combatants, guarded supply trains, performed riot control, and was involved in small skirmishes. 

After an honorable discharge, he earned his B.S. in Mining Engineering in 1952 from the Missouri School of Mines at Rolla (now the Missouri University of Science).  He lettered in college-level golf; played one season.   After college he enjoyed sailing on Lake Wissota with friends.  During that time, he met and later married Jeanette Ion Grams of Augusta, Wisconsin. 

Fred and Jeanette raised four boys, Jeff, Jim, Paul, and Tom, all born in Eau Claire, WI.     He enjoyed taking his family on ski trips.  Favorite ski destinations were Boyne Mountain Michigan, Telemark Wisconsin, and several areas in Colorado. 

Fred was President of Eau Claire Sand & Gravel (later American Materials) from 1958 to 1980; then CEO 1980 to 1992.  He continued to serve as a reference through 2011, and provided background and historical information for sand and gravel resources.  He was a local business leader and was on the board of directors for the Northwest Savings & Loan, and First Financial Bank. 

Moreover, during his professional career he was proud of his community service for many organizations.  This included serving many years on the board of directors for the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, Luther Hospital, Eau Claire United Fund, Boy Scouts of America, Eau Claire YMCA, and the Wisconsin Ready Mix Association.  Fred enjoyed telling the story of meeting Vince Lombardi when Lombardi was a guest speaker at the ready-mix association.  In addition to director positions, he served terms as Vice President and President of the Eau Claire YMCA; Campaign Chairman, President, and Board Chairman of the Eau Claire United Fund; President of the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association, President of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce; Vice Chairman of the Luther Hospital Board of Directors; and President of the Eau Claire Chippewa Falls Builder Exchange.   He was also appointed for a four-year term to the Council on Hospital Regulation & Approval, Wisconsin Dept. of Health & Social Services.

He divorced and remarried in 1985 to Kathy Cherrier until her death in 2021.  They enjoyed going to the lake house, holidays, and Kathy’s family.  He loved his West Highland Terriers…Tootsie, Sugar, and Coconut. 

During retirement he put his master model builder skills to work.  Some of his amazing ship projects were published in model building magazines.   The last few years of his life he enjoyed visits with his sons, hearing about their lives and careers, getting to know his care givers, and watching TV - - mostly Fox News and Everybody Loves Raymond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Owen Ayres, grandson Nicholas Ayres, first wife Jeanette Ayres, sister Natalie Danielson, and second wife Kathy Cherrier.  He is survived by his four sons Jeffrey Ayres, James Ayres (Kim), Paul Ayres (Shelley), & Thomas Ayres.  He is also survived by grandchildren Bailey Ayres, Alexander Ayres (Emily T.), Charles Ayres (Sammie), Emily Ayres (Jenna), and three great grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate in honor of Fred Ayres, to the Eau Claire Memorial High School Booster Club. Please request in the note-section of your check/donation, to put half of the  donation toward Golf and/or Basketball.

Visitation will be Friday December 13, 2024, 4:00pm – 6:00pm at Hulke Family Funeral Home, Eau Claire, WI.  A service will be held at 6:00pm at the funeral home, followed by military honors, outside the funeral home. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Josh Toufar.

To live stream Fred's service please visit this link:https://boxcast.tv/view/frederic-ayres-funeral-e4xaup4v2aacrwc2faj3

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frederic W. Ayres, please visit our floral store.