Texas Tech University

Flora Mayfield and Ross Ayers Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Flora Mayfield and Ross Ayers Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established in 2003 by the Estate of Burton R. Ayers. Endowment earnings are used to fund scholarships in the area of biology, environmental sciences, and farm ecology. Earnings are split equally between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.

Davis College scholarships are awarded to students in the departments of Natural Resources Management, Plant and Soil Science, and Landscape Architecture. Students must have completed at least 12 semester credit hours and maintain a GPA of 3.4 or less. Preference is given to students with an intention to teach.

Major General Ross Ayers was born in Westminster, TX on August 11, 1910 to G.M. and Linda Ayers. He was one of seven children. He graduated from high school at Cuero, TX. He attended Texas Tech University where he was captain of the 1933 Red Raider football team. He received his BA in Political Science from Tech in 1934. He taught school and coached in Lubbock public schools where he met and married Marion Ruth Betts in 1940. In 1946, he received his MA from the University of Texas, Austin. He was a Distinguished Alumni of Texas Tech and a member of the Texas Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame.

General Ayers began his military career in 1931 when he enlisted in Service Battery, 131st Field Artillery Battalion, 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard. He was commissioned a 2d Lieutenant, Artillery in 1939. He was mobilized with the 36th Division in 1943 and served in the European Theater. He received the Silver Star for landing the first Artillery Piece on the beach head at Salerno, Italy. He fought at Monte Casino and in the Vosges Mountains in France. After returning from World War II service, he continued to serve in the Texas National Guard. In 1947, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Artillery, and assigned as Battalion Commander, 132d Field Artillery Battalion. General Ayers was assigned as Command Officer, 36th Infantry Division Artillery in 1963. Upon formation of the 36th Infantry Brigade (separate), he was assigned as the Commanding General in 1965. In 1969, he became Adjutant General of Texas and promoted to the rank of Major General in 1970. After this distinguished career of service, he retired in 1973.

After returning from WWII, he farmed in West Texas for many years. He was an active member of his communities in Lubbock and Friona, TX. He served in Lions Club, American Legion, National Guard Association of Texas. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and was a member of First Presbyterian, Austin, TX.

After the death of Marion in 1956, he moved to Friona and later married Flora Mayfield Betts in 1958. Flora graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1940. She went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Together they had one son, Joe Ayers, and a daughter, Rev. Ann Ayers Brizendine.

Flora passed away September 6, 1988. General Ayers died Saturday, September 1, 2001 in Muskogee, OK after a brief illness.

To support this scholarship, please visit the Flora Mayfield and Ross Ayers Memorial Endowed Scholarship gift page.

Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Associate Director of Development
806.742.2802

Tanner Rex
tanner.rex@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.742.2802