[image: James Edward Ayres Obituary]


I am sad to inform fellow listers that James E. Ayres passed away in Tucson
on March 10, 2015. He was a good friend who will be sorely missed. Here is
the obituary that was published in the *Arizona Daily Star* on Mar. 15,
2015.

James Edward Ayres died at his Tucson home on March 10, 2015. Born
September 30, 1936, Eau Claire WI, to Wayne and Alice Ayres, Jim graduated
Evanston, WY high school in 1955, served in the US Air Force, received a BA
from Fresno State College, and an MA from Univ of Arizona. Jim was a
pioneer in historical archaeology of the West, remaining active in the
field until shortly before his death. He directed excavations for the
Tucson Urban Renewal Project, headed the research division at the AZ State
Museum, served as AZ State Historic Preservation Officer, taught at both
ASU and UofA, and did independent consulting. He indexed all of Tucson's
English-language newspapers from 1870 to 1911, the results of which will be
published posthumously as a research tool for historians and
archaeologists. Jim served as President of the Society for Historical
Archaeology and received the society's two highest awards. He chaired the
Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission and received the AZ Governor's
Award for Historic Preservation. He spent many summers cataloging
historical logging sites in the Uinta Mts UT. He enjoyed travel and
learning about wines. Jim is survived by his wife, Marianne, with whom he
spent 43 years, and three brothers, Larry, Bill (also an archaeologist),
and Jon. No plans for a memorial have been made, but contributions may be
sent to AZ Hist Soc Archives or American Heritage Ctr Laramie WY.
Condolences may be sent to ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.

See more at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?pid=174402011#sthash.40mMc0Sn.dpuf