It is with the heaviest hearts that we announce the passing of our son, Owen Michael Winfield Ayer, who left us on March 21, 2025, at the young age of 19. Born on August 29, 2005, he was a bright and shining light that stood out for his kindness to others and for being a loyal friend and teammate.

Owen had a love for all sports, but his favorite sport was football, and he was a huge fan of the Washington Commanders. The camaraderie of playing on the Poquoson High School football team was something that inspired him to want to play intramural football at Old Dominion University.

He will be forever loved and deeply missed by his parents, Rebekah and AJ Long and Michael and Michelle Ayer; his siblings, Avonlea, Keanan (Katie), Tanner, and Skyler; and his faithful German Shepherd dogs, Stella, Luna, and Kimber. He shared a special bond with his cousin, Zayne, who was like a brother to him, and was especially close to his grandparents, John and Rinda Keck. From a large family, Owen leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, all of whom will forever hold him in their hearts. Owen is now in arms of his grandparents; Kathleen and Robert Spear and Henry "Sammy" Ayer, his great-grandparents, Jesse and Polly Hodges and Henry and Eleanor Ayer; his uncle Jesse Hodges, Jr; and his cousins, Adam, Brandon, and Jason.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on March 29, 2025, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in downtown Hampton, VA.

In keeping with Owen's generous spirit, his legacy lives on through the gift of organ donation, giving Hope and the gift of Life to many others. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Jed Foundation (JedFoundation.org), an organization dedicated to promoting mental health for teens and young adults or the Poquoson High School Football Team (51 Odd Rd. Poquoson, Va 23662).