John R. Ayres

John Richard Ayres was born March 12, 1950, and died June 18, 2024 after a two-and-a-half-year battle with glioblastoma. He was the oldest of four children born to Franklin “Redd” Ayres and Ann (nee Aanstad) Ayres, brother to James Robert (Vivian), Jeffrey Allen and Jayne Regine (Mark) Bachler- the infamous four J’s. John was born in and grew up in Eau Claire, graduated from Memorial High School in 1968 and from UWEC in 1974. He married Kathleen Carlson in 1969 and together they raised two sons, Jason (Melinda) and Chad (Kami) who presented them with five grandsons - Xavier, Tyler, Aiden, Deven and Nolen. John was employed by the City of Eau Claire for 30 years as assistant purchaser, retiring in 2007. 

Ann and Redd taught their children to fish at an early age, and that was one of John’s favorite activities throughout his life. He fished many waters from Florida to Canada. He developed many friendships and fishing buddies at his workplaces beginning in the late ‘60s at National and during his 30-year career with the City, even fishing in the City Shops Open on Tainter Lake. For many years John joined his siblings and his sons each fall for a fishing weekend on Tainter Lake, culminating with a family fish fry. Some of his most treasured times were taking his sons to Lake of the Woods in Baudette, MN bi-annually where they joined other family and special friends for 3 days of guided fishing - Young Bloods vs Old Farts in the spring and WI vs MN in the fall. John’s motto was: A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work. 

John is survived by his wife, their two sons and their wives, and five grandsons. He is further survived by his siblings and their spouses and children, sister-in-law Kathy Carlson, sister-in-law Sandra Carlson (David) Ward, brothers-in-law Gary(Paulette) and Dan(Sue) Carlson, nieces, nephews, many cousins and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Hazel and Arnold Carlson and brother-in-law Richard Carlson, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

As per John’s wishes there will be no formal service. The family will be having an Open House on Tuesday, July 2, from 3:00-7:00pmat John and Kathy’s home.

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.  

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