Jimmy H Ayers

Jimmy (Jim) Hess Ayers died on Jan 26, 2025 at his home in Peterson, Iowa. Jimmy was the fourth son born to Frank and Ethel (Hess) Ayers on December 7, 1951 and grew up in Coon Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Coon Rapids High School and later with a BA and MA from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake.

While an undergrad, he continued his journalistic bent formed in high school and working after school for the Enterprise, by becoming the editor of The Tack at BVU. He also sang in an acapella group in college and married a classmate, Rixzene Helliger. They later divorced.

Following graduation, he was hired by a mental health facility in Cherokee and eventually moved to Colorado to work at the Pikes Peak Mental Health facility. He married Prill Greene. They later divorced.

He eventually found his true calling as a special education teacher at East Middle School in Colorado Springs, where he received recognition for starting a work study program for high-risk students and was featured on a national news program. Two of his former students became his foster children: Dedrick Jackson (DJ) and Gabe.

After he retired as the Director of Special Education, he bought a rural acreage near his beloved BV.

He was preceded in death by his parents, foster son DJ, sister Kae Guenther, and brothers Ken and Joe.

He is survived by his son Gabe, brothers and sisters Sue Mortensen, Smithville, TN; Janet LaVille, Englewood, CO; Doug (Doung), Ames; Lynn (Diane), Lake Tapawingo, MO; Craig (Vickie), Colo; Pat Partridge (Scott), Nevada; Pam, State Center; and Randy (Denise), Lidderdale, as well as many nieces and nephews.

 In Jim’s memory, please donate to or adopt from your local animal shelter or help struggling students find their way as he did. No services are planned at this time.