Dolson "Doc" H. Ayers, Sr.

Lafayette - Dolson “Doc” H. Ayers, Sr., age 92, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Newton Medical Center. Born in the Pelletown section of Frankford Township to the late Dolson A. and Flossie M. (Ryker) Ayers, Doc has lived in Sussex County all of his life. He played soccer, basketball, and baseball in high school, but baseball was his favorite. Doc attended Seton Hall University, where he played on their baseball team and received his Bachelor degree in Physical Education. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and also continued to play some baseball during that time. Doc eventually signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization and was one of their players for 5 years. When he returned to his hometown, Doc coached many youths playing on the local town teams, as well as the American Legion Team. He also played some baseball with the local Sussex and Newton teams. Doc lived out his dreams ending with mentoring and coaching many High Point Regional High School students. He also was active with the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame. Doc was also an active member of the Lafayette Federated Church. He was a letter carrier for the Sussex Post Office for 28 years before his retirement. He was predeceased by his “high school sweetheart” and devoted wife, Barbara (Smith) in 2019 and his brother, Roland Ayers in 2008. Doc is survived by his son, Dolson "Howard" Ayers, Jr of Fife, Washington; his daughter, Dianne Drew and her husband Robert of Lafayette; his sister, Mary Clark of Venice, Florida; his grandchildren, Kristen Carucci and her husband James of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Lauren Conklin and her husband Ernie of Wantage, Jenna Bruffy and her husband Kyle of Manassas, Virginia, and Mackenzie Ayers of Tacoma, Washington, Kyle Drew and his wife Heather of Frankford and Patrick Drew and his wife Keara of Damascus, Pennsylvania; his great grandchildren, Taylor, Cara, Alivia, Mikayla, Brady, Chase, Jase, Ellie, Finn, Liam, Jacob, Gavin, Benjamin, Lily, Brantley and Tanner. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, April 7, 2023 at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex, NJ. Internment to immediately follow at Frankford Plains Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects to the family prior to the service on Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in memory of "Doc Ayers” to the High Point Baseball/Softball Booster Club, 299 Pigeon Hill Road, Wantage, NJ 07461 Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com

Dolson "Doc" H. Ayers, Sr.

November 29, 1930 - April 1, 2023