DR. JOHN MARTIN AYERS, SR., MD
1918-2017
“And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:2)
Dr. John Martin Ayers, Sr., MD, who healed so many during his life, was in turn healed and left this world to enter heaven on October 12, 2017 and be reunited with his beloved wife, Lois. He was 99.
John was born on May 25, 1918 in Grangeville, Idaho, the son of Martin L. Ayers and Maud Coram Ayers, pioneering Idaho families.
He graduated from Grangeville High School and entered the University of Idaho where he studied Chemical Engineering and Premed, graduating with a BS in 1938. He then attended Rush College of Medicine which was then affiliated with the University of Chicago, graduating with an MD in 1942. He was commissioned a 2/LT in the U. S. Army, completed a one-year internship in Alameda, CA and then went on active duty.
As a Captain with the 315th Medical Battalion he landed with the 8th Armored Division and 90th Infantry at Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day, setting up triage on the beach and trying to save as many wounded as possible. It was always difficult for John to talk about the experience. He moved forward as the Allies advanced, received two Bronze Stars and numerous campaign decorations, finally returning to the U.S. in November 1945. He set up his medical practice in Moscow, Idaho serving there for over 40 years.
He was active in national and state professional medical organizations and boards, serving in a variety of leadership roles including a term as President of the Idaho Medical Association. In addition to his medical practice in Moscow, he owned an aircraft and flew to remote ranches to deliver babies and perform other medical “house calls”. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to play golf, fish, and hunt. He was an expert woodworker and mechanic and later embraced computers and the Internet.
John was predeceased by his first wife, Marcia; his second wife, Lois; and his youngest son, Brian. He is survived by son Jack, his wife Jane, and their children John, Corie, David, and James; son Steve, his wife Mary, and their children Doug and David; stepson Tom Knudson, his wife Candy, and their children Chris, Clare and Rainey, and nine great-grandchildren who loved their “Papa John”.
Honoring John’s wishes, there will be no memorial service but simply a private family burial.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that contributions in memory of John be directed to the University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 3143, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3143. The family especially wishes to thank the staff at the Hallmark and John’s wonderful caregivers, Esther Beasley, Myrtis Arseno, and Karen Brown.