Obituary: Douglas Matthew Ayles

Published 12:15 am Friday, June 16, 2023

Surprise, Arizona

March 29, 1940 — June 6, 2023

Douglas Matthew Ayles passed away on June 6 at his home in Surprise, Arizona. He was 83 years old.

Doug is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jan Ayles; three sons, Scott Ayles, Jeff Campbell and Erin Ayles; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Dixie Bettcher; and former wife, Carol Bailey.

Doug was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, and was an avid Golden Gloves boxer in high school. He joined the U.S. Navy following high school, served on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) and operated the starboard landing mirror on the flight deck. After, he became a legal yeoman while stationed in Hawaii.

He later relocated to Seaside, where he was an elementary school principal for 27 of his 30 years in education. Doug taught at Gearhart Elementary School and was principal at Cannon Beach Elementary School and Seaside Heights Elementary School. He returned to Gearhart Elementary as principal until his retirement in July 1996.

Doug was active in the Seaside community, serving in the Army National Guard, Police Auxiliary, Rotary International and twice as the commander of American Legion Post 99 in Seaside.

Following their retirement, Jan and Doug split their time between homes in Redmond and Surprise. Doug was passionate about veterans’ and first responders’ causes, and frequently bought lunches for firefighters, soldiers and others whom he met in restaurants. Doug and Jan were avid supporters of the Tunnel to Tower Foundation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Tunnel to Tower Foundation (t2t.org).

Please join the family and share memories, pictures or videos of Douglas on his tribute wall at caminodelsol.com.