Person:Arlington Ayres (2)

1930 census-Arlington Jr; 1 yr 9 mos; WV

1940 census-Junior; 12; school 4; MD

2012 Obituary-Arlington Junior Ayres (sic), of Brunswick/Knoxville, Maryland, died quietly at Reeder Nursing Home, Boonsboro, Maryland on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2012.

Arlington (known to friends and the community as Peg, Junior, or AJ), was born to Arlington Albert Ayres and Dorothy Lenore Greaver Ayres in Brunswick, Maryland on April 9, 1928.

His family had relocated from Ranson,WV to Brunswick, MD where his father worked as a B&O Railroad brakeman and then as owner of Peg's Taxicab Service. His mother, Dorothy, worked at the local Moose Club until she retired.

Arlington attended Brunswick East End Elementary and Brunswick High School where he loved to play soccer. From 1946 to 1948, he served his country proudly on the Navy destroyer, U.S.S. Hamner, in the Pacific as part of the United States Seventh Fleet. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for the B&O Railroad as a mechanic, then worked over 25 years for People's Home & Auto until he and his sister, Peggy, became owners of Peg's Taxicab Service.

Arlington was pre- deceased by his father and mother, his sister Viola (Peggy) Ayres Fauble; his dear niece Denise Larue Fauble; his only nephew David Gerald Green; and, his fellow shipmate and plank-holder, Edwin H. Brittain.

He is survived by his former wife, Mary Kathryn Daugherty Ayres and their children: Dorothy M. Ayres Van Steinburg and son-in-law (Edward); H. Randolph Ayres; M. Chris Ayres Houck and son-in-law (Tim); and Vivian K. Ayres Simpson and son-in- law (Timothy). He is also survived by his loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Tyler & Jennifer Van Steinburg and children (Lauren, Anika, and Evan); Kyle & Bobbi Van Steinburg and children (Emily, Jacob, and Liam); Tatiana M. Van Steinburg; Samantha Simpson and children (Taylor and Colton); Amanda Simpson; and Whitney Houck. In addition, he is survived by his nieces and their families (Debbie and Kirk Boucher; Vicki and Ralph Poe), as well as many cousins (Nancy Sloat Cole and Family; Eugene Sloat and Family; and surviving Greaver cousins). Special friends surviving are Tay Terletzky of Shepherdstown, WV; Dale and Jenny Holtschneider and family of Oakland, MD; Cecil Holtschneider and Family; George Holtschneider and Family; Ken and Billie Lepere of San Ramon, CA; and, the management, staff, and favorite waitress/friend, Linda, of the Long Horn Restaurant, Hagerstown, Maryland.

Throughout his life, Arlington was a passionate outdoorsman who loved hunting, especially in Oakland, Maryland, and passed this love on to his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Izaak Walton League, the National Rifle Association, the Moose Lodge, and the U.S.S. Hamner Reunion Association. He held the distinct honor of being a "Plank-Owner" of the U.S.S. Hamner and participated in its Reunions where he enjoyed spending time with his former shipmates.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date to honor his life. Those wishing to contribute in honor of Arlington Junior Ayres' memory are requested to make donations to the National Rifle Association, the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance Company, the Brunswick Fire Department, the Izaak Walton League, or the National Association of Destroyer Veterans.

Arrangementsareby Stauffer Funeral Home, Brunswick.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at staufferfuneralhome.com.

Published Online in The Frederick News-Post on Nov. 17, 2012