Patrick T. Ayers
March 31, 1963-June 9, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, Patrick T. Ayers. Pat was born and raised in Eureka, and he was the youngest of 12 children born to Ernest G. “Gerry” Ayers and Oriel Ayers. Pat was 62 years old.

After graduating from Eureka High School, Pat served in the U.S. Air Force for 3 years. He served as a Security Specialist and after graduating from Special Operations Technical School, Pat was awarded the Special Operations badge and also earned his beret.

Pat worked as a young boy for his father’s food products distribution company alongside his older brothers. Pat later took an interest in working as a chef at local restaurants, including Roy’s Club, Sea Grill, Mazzotti’s, and St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Facility.

Pat grew up spending summers at the Ayers Mattole House on what was then called Squaw Creek. Pat loved fishing, being in nature, and exploring the Mattole River with the Liu brothers. Pat had a love of exploration that he was able to do during those summers at the cabin.

In 2016, Pat was diagnosed with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, experiencing moderate to advanced weakness in both his upper and lower extremities.

Pat passed away at San Francisco VA Hospital (SFVAH) with his brother Paul by his side, while listening to Pink Floyd. Pat had been hospitalized at SFVAH since March 2025 because of increased weakness and numerous side effects of his diagnosis of Myotonic Dystrophy.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Eureka VA Clinic staff and the San Francisco VA Hospital for their compassionate care of Pat, and working with Pat’s siblings to keep him comfortable. We will miss Pat’s smile, his stories, his knowledge, and his unwavering sense of humor. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Gerry and Oriel Ayers, his brother David, his nephew Kyle, and his great nephew Fischer.

Pat is survived by his siblings: Michael (Karen), Melinda (Norman), Eileen, Liz, Phil (Jani), Paul (Nancy), Maureen (Mike), Catherine (Matt), Tim (Lisa), and Anne (Steve); 23 nieces and nephews; 32 great nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins from the Ayers, McGaraghan, and Poscic families.

Please join Pat’s family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 1:00-4:00, at Old Growth Cellars, 1945 Hilfiker Lane, Eureka.

Donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul in Honor of Gerry/Oriel Ayers. The check should be written as follows.

• Check made out to: Humboldt Area Foundation (HAF)
• Mail to: 363 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA, 95524
• Memo line: St. Vincent de Paul in Honor of Gerry/Oriel Ayers

This information is necessary so that your donation is applied to the proper account. Thank you.

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