Tony Ayala

Tupelo - Tony Ayala, 66, died Monday, April 21, 2008, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a short illness. A Johnsondale, California native, he was born July 24, 1941 to the late Ben and Esther Magana Ayala. He was raised in Madera, California and then lived most of his adult life in Oakhurst, California until about six months ago. Earlier in his life, he worked in the lumber industry over 21 years for a sawmill in Oakhurst. He retired, after 24 years, from the Sierra Telephone Company yet always stayed involved in the social aspect of the only family owned telephone company in the area. He was a member of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing. He was also an avid bowler, participated in tournaments and was a member of the American Bowling Confederation.

A memorial service will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Cornerstone United Methodist Church with Rev. Tommy Galloway officiating. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Kathleen Ayala, of Tupelo; one daughter, Nicole Ayala and her fiance, Jacob Lucius of Tupelo; two sons, Kenneth Ayala of Fresno, California and Keith Ayala and his wife, Julie, of Oakhurst, California; three grandchildren, Jordan Ayala, Melanie Ayala and Annalise Ayala; three sisters, Lupe Casarez, Carmen Martinez and Susan Ayala all of Madera, CA; one sister-in-law, Julie Ray and husband, Jerry; and one special niece, Monica Jones and husband, Kevin; a great-niece, Bella Jones.