Ronald Lee Ayres, 70, Cleveland, MO, died June 21, 2007 at home. Services 11:00 AM Monday, June 25 at Atkinson Chapel, Harrisonville, MO. Burial in Pleasant Mound Cemetery, Osceola, MO. Visitation 5:00-7:30 PM Sunday, June 24 at the chapel. Contributions to Kansas City Hospice, Midway Booster Club or Pleasant Mound Cemetery Association.

Ronald was born July 1, 1936 in Versailles, MO, the son of Mason Franklin and Lela Verda (Crane) Ayres. He married Patricia Joyce Lyon on June 7, 1958 in Miami, OK.

Ronald worked for the Leeds Plant from October 27, 1955 until retiring in April 1, 1987. He was a member of the UAW and was also a committeeman of the union. He was a carpenter and enjoyed woodworking. He was also a knife sharpener. He enjoyed fly-fishing and was an expert at fly tying. He had been a tamale vendor. Ronald was an elephant handler and also boarded horses for the Kansas City Zoo.

Ronald was preceded in death by his father, Bud, his wife, Patricia and one great-grandchild, Cheslie Anderson. He is survived by three sons, Russell Ayres and his wife, Karen, Creighton, MO, John Ayres, Freeman, MO and Alan Ayres, Cleveland, MO; one daughter, Kim Jump and her husband, Mike, Bolivar, MO; his mother, Lela Ayres, Bolivar, MO; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

(Arrangements under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, MO).