Lt. Col. Thomas Glen Ayers, US Army, Retired, 66, of Rock Island, died Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at his home.  Services will be 10 am Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Island.  Visitation will be from 1-4 pm Sunday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island.  Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, where military honors will be presented.  Memorials may be made in care of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Tom was born on August 31st 1952 in Davenport, Iowa, a son of Glen and June Doughty Ayers. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1970 and the United States Military Academy West Point in 1975. Shortly after Tom was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army he married his wife Leigh Crain. Together they raised 4 children in a home full of love, laughter and adventure.  Tom and Leigh celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary December 12th with a renewal of vows.

During Tom's 23 years of active duty service he was an Airborne Infantry Jumpmaster and a Combat Engineer. He was part of America's first line of defense against communist forces during the cold war in Alaska and deployed to Mogadishu Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. Tom earned a host of awards and accolades spanning multiple branches of the armed forces to include the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals and the key to the city of West Des Moines for his efforts in the flooding of 1993. Tom completed his active duty service at the Rock Island Arsenal and retired as the commanding officer of AMC Installations and Services Activity in 1998.

After his retirement "The Colonel" became the Chief Building Official for the city of Rock Island. A post that he held for 18 years and worked tirelessly to improve his hometown in every way he could. Tom inspired all those around him to become better leaders and to place family first.

Tom was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Island.  He enjoyed hunting and the great outdoors.  For many years he was very active with boy scouts serving as the assistant scoutmaster for troop 258 and held the rank of Vigil in the Order of the Arrow.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Leigh Ayers; father Glen (Natalia) Ayers; Siblings; Theresa Ayers, Tim (Linda) Ayers, Tracy (Sal) Farhan. Children; Corbin (Elena) Ayers, Ashley Ayers (Jeremy Cozadd), Christopher (Cara) Ayers, Marcus (Molly) Ayers and 11 adored grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother June Ayers.