Arthur Ayris

Obituary of Arthur Ayris AYRIS, SR. ARTHUR A. "BIG ART" 81, of Fruitland Park, departed this life on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the age of 81. Art was born in Springfield, Ohio on March 2, 1929, and moved to Fruitland Park in 1944. He graduated from Leesburg High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He met his bride to be, Beulah "Boots" Haynie, on a blind date in Clearwater, Florida. They married upon his return from serving in the Army during the Korean War. Art and Boots called Clearwater and Ocala home before permanently settling in the Leesburg area. An electrical contractor, Art eventually co-owned then purchased Plaza Electric Company, a business to which he devoted himself. He actively participated in the Florida Electrical Contractors Association before retiring. Besides his family, Art's passion was playing and watching golf. Numerous club championship wins evidence his excellence at the sport. Father and son tournaments and teaching his grandchildren to play, however, brought him the greatest joy. He was an active member of the Community United Methodist Church of Fruitland Park where he served on various committees. Art enjoyed traveling with his family, particularly to the mountain house he built. His family remembers his quick wit, the value of hard work which he instilled in his children, and his ability to create something from nothing. The "shack" became a wonderful lakefront home, an old chassis a dune buggy for the kids, a beat up bicycle repaired and painted for a child in need. Art was predeceased in death by his wife, "Boots" Ayris, and granddaughter, Ashton Ayris. He is survived by his three children, Art Ayris, Jr. and his wife Kelly, of Fruitland Park; Cynthia Ayris Kemp and her husband Bill of Sarasota, FL and David Ayris and his wife Julie, of Fruitland Park; and grandchildren Ben and Alex Ayris, Aubree and Wyatt Ayris, all of Fruitland Park, and Jeremy and Daniel Kemp of Sarasota, FL. Also surviving are his sisters Norma Jean Fountain of Swainsboro, GA and Mary Roop of Columbus, GA and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park with Rev. Art Ayris, Jr. officiating. For anyone interested in a memorial contributions, please consider Samaritan Inn, 115 N. 13th St., Leesburg, FL 34748.

Arthur Ayris

March 2, 1929 - August 28, 2010