Born in Tucson, Arizona, the first child of Robert and Barbara Ayres, Carl began his academic career by graduating from Audubon Kindergarten on May 29, 1964 and moved around the country with a military family before graduating from Princess Anne High School in 1976. Upon high school graduation, Carl enlisted in the United States Navy, which would lead him to meet his future wife. Carl and Gizelle married on April 29, 1984 and had three children, Jessica, Jasmin, and Justin. Carl and Gizelle were happily married for 33 years. Throughout his 29 and one-half years of service, he graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Management in December 1992, was the Distinguished Graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy on December 15, 1993, graduated cum laude from The National Graduate School with a Masters of Science in Quality Systems Management in June 2005, and retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4) on September 1, 2005. Carl was a seasoned triathlete, avid surfer, jack-of-all-trades, and all-around family man. Carl enjoyed taking the scenic route, both literally and figuratively, and always found happiness in the water. Carl always sought to make sure all around him were taken care of, while at the same time fulfilling his own educational, physical, and personal pursuits, and continued to receive numerous meritorious awards and recognitions throughout his life. Carl lived to see all his children complete undergraduate degrees, witnessed Gizelle and Justin open their own businesses, owned two properties, and always found a home project to satisfy his ingenuity. Carl is survived by his sisters, Carolyn, Llana, and Norma, his brothers, Charles and Philip, his wife, Gizelle, his children, Jessica, Jasmin, and Justin, the family dogs, Jenny, Angel, Chad, and Micah, and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and close family friends.