Victor Rowen Ayers passed away peacefully on December 28, 2015, at his home in Salt Lake City at the age of 81. He dealt patiently and courageously with his illness for the last years of his life maintaining his great wit and sense of humor to the end. He had tremendous energy and worked hard and played hard. Family and friends were very important to him and he had a wonderful way with people.
Victor was born in Seattle, Washington to Rowen B. Ayers and Marjorie Bell Ayers on April 8, l934. After his father finished law school, the family moved to Colorado and finally in 1941 he arrived in Salt Lake City. He attended East High School and then graduated from the University of Utah in 1956 with a degree in history. He was a member of the Beta Theta Phi, and he loved his Beta brothers.
While in college, Vic worked at Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park where he met the love of his life, Marion Pederson, a student at the University of Minnesota They were married in 1956 in Appleton, Minnesota.
He started Gump and Ayers real estate with his Mother Marjorie B. Gump in 1959. They went on to become a strong and successful sales team in Utah from 1959 until they sold Gump and Ayers in 1986.
In 1967, at the age of 33 Vic Ayers was elected to the Salt Lake Board of Realtors, the youngest member to sit on that Board at the time. He went on to become president in several years. He stressed ethics in real estate and was honored as realtor of the year in Salt Lake and also in Park City where the Ayers lived for 26 years before returning to Salt Lake in 2001. In Park City he served as president of Rotary and was successful in convincing all members to contribute to the Paul Harris Fellowship Fund. Members called Vic the Admiral.
Vic enjoyed serving with many organizations in both Salt Lake and Park City. Among them are:
Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce Governing Board, Park City Kimball Art Center, Park City Rotary, Chaine de Rotisseures, Beta Theta Phi, Salt Lake Country Club and Zion Lutheran Church.
Survived by his wife Marion P Ayers, his brother James Ayers (Paula), his sister Judi Ayers Lay, his daughter Susan Ayers Matonis, his son Robert Rowen Ayers, his grandsons Rowen Ashton Ayers, Victor Jonathan Matonis and Andrew Jensen, his Granddaughter Carina Constance Matonis, and his Great Grandchildren Sylas Ayers and Phoenix Victoria Ayers. Preceded in Death by his parents Rowen B Ayers, Marjorie Bell Gump Pelton, stepfather Joseph R. Gump, and his son Michael V Ayers.
The family wishes to thank the many people who helped with Victor's care: CNS Hospice workers, Midas Home Care, Dr. Keith Lane, Pastor Steve Klemz and many others.
Memorial Services will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday January 5th 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church 1070 Foothill Drive 84108. Viewing at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary (2330 E 1300 S) Monday night 6-8 pm, and briefly at Zion Lutheran on Tuesday at 12:30 pm prior to the service. Interment at Mt Olivet Cemetery (located at 1352 E 5th South) after the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Zion Lutheran Church or to a charity of your choice.
