Mr. James Robert Ayres, Sr., 83, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City, FL, following an extended illness. He is the son of the late Immanuel and Ada Darr Ayres. He is preceded in death by two brothers, Norman and David Ayres, and one sister, Coila Cairns. He had made his home in O'Brien, FL, for the past seven years and was a member of the Bethalto United Methodist Church in Alton, Illinois. He was a member of the Bethalto Masonic Lodge, F&AM in Alton, IL, and had logged over a million miles as a CDL driver in the state of IL.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Mary Juanita Bruce Ayres, O'Brien, FL; two sons, James Robert Ayres, Jr. (Teresa) and Robert Clinton Ayres (Lisa), both of O'Brien, FL; Five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive.

A celebration of life for Mr. James Robert Ayres, Sr., will be held at a later date in Illinois. Cremation Arrangements are under the direction and care of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.