Paul’s Obituary It is with great sadness that the family of Paul Maurice Ayer announces his passing after battling follicular mesenteric lymphoma, on January 16, 2019, at the age of 77 years. Paul was born in Raton, New Mexico on December 11, 1941. At the age of 17, Paul knew he wanted to serve in the Marine Corps; he enlisted in July 1959 with his good friend Chuck Hedrick after they graduated Memorial High School in Enid, Oklahoma.
He was stationed in San Diego from 1959 to 1961. November 1961 saw Paul stationed overseas in Okinawa. Paul deployed to Vietnam from January to November 1970, serving with the First Marine Aircraft Wing (America’s Finest) as an Admin Chief.
After serving in the United States Marine Corps for 30 years, Paul worked as a contractor for Computer Science Corporation in Kansas City for 20 years, for a total of 50 years serving his country. Paul was the recipient of several awards for his service, including 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Navy Commendation Medals for Combat V (Vietnam), and 2 Navy Achievement Medals for Outstanding Performance as a 1st Sergeant and Superior Performance as Officer-in-Charge of an Administrative Control Unit. Paul met his wife Sumi in 1962 through mutual friends.
They dated for about a year before Paul asked for Sumi’s hand in marriage. They were married at Sacred Heart of Awase in Okinawa on August 31, 1963. After welcoming daughter Mary in April 1964, the Ayer family returned to the US in 1965.
They moved around the country, living in Stafford, VA and Enid, Oklahoma, and back to Okinawa, until finally settling in Kansas City, MO in 1980. Paul was an avid fisherman and beekeeper, and he enjoyed going camping. He took his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren hunting.
He enjoyed watching the Oklahoma Sooners, the History Channel, and drinking Orion beer. He cheered for the Royals and Chiefs and gave of his time, talent, and treasure to St. Thomas More Parish. Paul is preceded in death by his father, Charles Maurice Ayer; his mother, Leota Mary Ayer (nee Scheier); and his brother Neil Wayne Ayer.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sumiko Ayer (nee Kamehama); his daughter Mary Ruiz (nee Ayer) and husband RJ; his 3 grandchildren, Lauren Nicole, Samantha Morgan, and Hunter James; and sister, Mary Ann Couger (nee Ayer). He will be lovingly remembered as by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as by extended family and dear friends. All who knew him admired him as a faith-filled, family-oriented man who was selfless, hardworking, and caring.
Visitation with a rosary will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 5-7pm at St. Thomas More Parish (11822 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131). A Mass of Catholic Burial will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 10am at St. Thomas More Parish, with The Rev. Justin Hoye presiding.
In lieu of flowers, Paul asked that donations be made in his name to Seton Center (2816 E 23rd St, Kansas City, MO 64127) and St. Thomas More Parish.
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