John Kenneth Ashford of North Francis Street entered the Church Triumphant on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. John was born to Fred and Ann (McTavish) Ashford on June 18, 1921, in Bradford, Pa. He was raised and educated in Detroit, Mich. Following high school graduation, John joined the US Army Air Corps and served during World War II. John was always mechanically inclined, and easily found work as a machinist in the automobile industry following his honorable discharge. John became an integral part of the machine divisions of Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Detroit Diesel/Allison. He was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of many of the company's tools and dies. Essentially, many of the cars driven in America were actually the final product of John's work.
In the early 1940s, John met Marian Smith, and they were married in 1947. This union was blessed with four sons. His beloved Marion passed away in 1975. John again found love in 1977 and married Marilyn Bull. John had many talents and interests. He was raised a Master Mason in Builders Lodge #563, Jurisdiction of Michigan in 1943, and remained faithful to his Masonic teachings until the very end. John affiliated with Eddy Lodge #21 in Carlsbad in 1994. After retirement in 1985, John moved his family to New Mexico and settled into the slower lifestyle away from the hustle of the metropolis. John fit right in with the local Eddy County Railroad Club, Eddy Masonic Lodge #21, the Carlsbad Cavernaires Barber Shop Chorus and The Carlsbad Community Theatre. He was also co-owner of Toy Box Automotive with his son, Kevin. Whether manufacturing parts to fix a miniature rail road car or locomotive, singing base with ease, assisting with Masonic Degrees and floor work, or building props, arranging scenery or playing a multitude of rolls at the theatre, it was obvious that John was in his element.
Throughout his life, John was a believer that "fellow man" needed to take care of "Fellow Man." Some say he was a "soft touch," and it sometimes made him an easy mark, but John always gave freely whenever he could. John was a member of 1st Baptist Church and was active with the music ministries.
Arrangements are entrusted to West Funeral Home.
John is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, sister Anna Jane Stark, and brother James Ashford during WWII.
John is survived by sons James and wife Katie Ashford of Ferndale, Mich., Fred Ashford of Carlsbad, William Ashford of Garden City, Mich., Kevin and wife Elizabeth Ashford of Englewood, Fla., sisters Winifred and husband Belvin Tucker of Michigan, and Ethel and husband Stan Berkowski of Michigan.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at West Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Kevin Pence of First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in the new section of Carlsbad Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites and Military Honors. A Lodge of Sorrow will convene at 9:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge. Visitations will be from 1-8 p.m. today (Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009) at West Funeral Home. John passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Pallbearers will be Kevin, James, and Fred Ashford, Mitch Picklesimer, Rick Coy and Jerry Spinks. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Ashford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name are requested to the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico, P. O Box 25004, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0004 or to a charity of choice.
Published in the Carlsbad Current-Argus on 8/30/2009
In the early 1940s, John met Marian Smith, and they were married in 1947. This union was blessed with four sons. His beloved Marion passed away in 1975. John again found love in 1977 and married Marilyn Bull. John had many talents and interests. He was raised a Master Mason in Builders Lodge #563, Jurisdiction of Michigan in 1943, and remained faithful to his Masonic teachings until the very end. John affiliated with Eddy Lodge #21 in Carlsbad in 1994. After retirement in 1985, John moved his family to New Mexico and settled into the slower lifestyle away from the hustle of the metropolis. John fit right in with the local Eddy County Railroad Club, Eddy Masonic Lodge #21, the Carlsbad Cavernaires Barber Shop Chorus and The Carlsbad Community Theatre. He was also co-owner of Toy Box Automotive with his son, Kevin. Whether manufacturing parts to fix a miniature rail road car or locomotive, singing base with ease, assisting with Masonic Degrees and floor work, or building props, arranging scenery or playing a multitude of rolls at the theatre, it was obvious that John was in his element.
Throughout his life, John was a believer that "fellow man" needed to take care of "Fellow Man." Some say he was a "soft touch," and it sometimes made him an easy mark, but John always gave freely whenever he could. John was a member of 1st Baptist Church and was active with the music ministries.
Arrangements are entrusted to West Funeral Home.
John is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, sister Anna Jane Stark, and brother James Ashford during WWII.
John is survived by sons James and wife Katie Ashford of Ferndale, Mich., Fred Ashford of Carlsbad, William Ashford of Garden City, Mich., Kevin and wife Elizabeth Ashford of Englewood, Fla., sisters Winifred and husband Belvin Tucker of Michigan, and Ethel and husband Stan Berkowski of Michigan.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at West Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Kevin Pence of First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in the new section of Carlsbad Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites and Military Honors. A Lodge of Sorrow will convene at 9:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge. Visitations will be from 1-8 p.m. today (Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009) at West Funeral Home. John passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Pallbearers will be Kevin, James, and Fred Ashford, Mitch Picklesimer, Rick Coy and Jerry Spinks. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Ashford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name are requested to the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico, P. O Box 25004, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0004 or to a charity of choice.
Published in the Carlsbad Current-Argus on 8/30/2009
John Kenneth Ashford of North Francis Street entered the Church Triumphant on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. John was born to Fred and Ann (McTavish) Ashford on June 18, 1921, in Bradford, Pa. He was raised and educated in Detroit, Mich. Following high school graduation, John joined the US Army Air Corps and served during World War II. John was always mechanically inclined, and easily found work as a machinist in the automobile industry following his honorable discharge. John became an integral part of the machine divisions of Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Detroit Diesel/Allison. He was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of many of the company's tools and dies. Essentially, many of the cars driven in America were actually the final product of John's work.
In the early 1940s, John met Marian Smith, and they were married in 1947. This union was blessed with four sons. His beloved Marion passed away in 1975. John again found love in 1977 and married Marilyn Bull. John had many talents and interests. He was raised a Master Mason in Builders Lodge #563, Jurisdiction of Michigan in 1943, and remained faithful to his Masonic teachings until the very end. John affiliated with Eddy Lodge #21 in Carlsbad in 1994. After retirement in 1985, John moved his family to New Mexico and settled into the slower lifestyle away from the hustle of the metropolis. John fit right in with the local Eddy County Railroad Club, Eddy Masonic Lodge #21, the Carlsbad Cavernaires Barber Shop Chorus and The Carlsbad Community Theatre. He was also co-owner of Toy Box Automotive with his son, Kevin. Whether manufacturing parts to fix a miniature rail road car or locomotive, singing base with ease, assisting with Masonic Degrees and floor work, or building props, arranging scenery or playing a multitude of rolls at the theatre, it was obvious that John was in his element.
Throughout his life, John was a believer that "fellow man" needed to take care of "Fellow Man." Some say he was a "soft touch," and it sometimes made him an easy mark, but John always gave freely whenever he could. John was a member of 1st Baptist Church and was active with the music ministries.
Arrangements are entrusted to West Funeral Home.
John is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, sister Anna Jane Stark, and brother James Ashford during WWII.
John is survived by sons James and wife Katie Ashford of Ferndale, Mich., Fred Ashford of Carlsbad, William Ashford of Garden City, Mich., Kevin and wife Elizabeth Ashford of Englewood, Fla., sisters Winifred and husband Belvin Tucker of Michigan, and Ethel and husband Stan Berkowski of Michigan.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at West Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Kevin Pence of First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in the new section of Carlsbad Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites and Military Honors. A Lodge of Sorrow will convene at 9:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge. Visitations will be from 1-8 p.m. today (Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009) at West Funeral Home. John passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Pallbearers will be Kevin, James, and Fred Ashford, Mitch Picklesimer, Rick Coy and Jerry Spinks. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Ashford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name are requested to the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico, P. O Box 25004, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0004 or to a charity of choice.
Published in the Carlsbad Current-Argus on 8/30/2009
In the early 1940s, John met Marian Smith, and they were married in 1947. This union was blessed with four sons. His beloved Marion passed away in 1975. John again found love in 1977 and married Marilyn Bull. John had many talents and interests. He was raised a Master Mason in Builders Lodge #563, Jurisdiction of Michigan in 1943, and remained faithful to his Masonic teachings until the very end. John affiliated with Eddy Lodge #21 in Carlsbad in 1994. After retirement in 1985, John moved his family to New Mexico and settled into the slower lifestyle away from the hustle of the metropolis. John fit right in with the local Eddy County Railroad Club, Eddy Masonic Lodge #21, the Carlsbad Cavernaires Barber Shop Chorus and The Carlsbad Community Theatre. He was also co-owner of Toy Box Automotive with his son, Kevin. Whether manufacturing parts to fix a miniature rail road car or locomotive, singing base with ease, assisting with Masonic Degrees and floor work, or building props, arranging scenery or playing a multitude of rolls at the theatre, it was obvious that John was in his element.
Throughout his life, John was a believer that "fellow man" needed to take care of "Fellow Man." Some say he was a "soft touch," and it sometimes made him an easy mark, but John always gave freely whenever he could. John was a member of 1st Baptist Church and was active with the music ministries.
Arrangements are entrusted to West Funeral Home.
John is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, sister Anna Jane Stark, and brother James Ashford during WWII.
John is survived by sons James and wife Katie Ashford of Ferndale, Mich., Fred Ashford of Carlsbad, William Ashford of Garden City, Mich., Kevin and wife Elizabeth Ashford of Englewood, Fla., sisters Winifred and husband Belvin Tucker of Michigan, and Ethel and husband Stan Berkowski of Michigan.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at West Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Kevin Pence of First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in the new section of Carlsbad Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites and Military Honors. A Lodge of Sorrow will convene at 9:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge. Visitations will be from 1-8 p.m. today (Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009) at West Funeral Home. John passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Pallbearers will be Kevin, James, and Fred Ashford, Mitch Picklesimer, Rick Coy and Jerry Spinks. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Ashford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name are requested to the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico, P. O Box 25004, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0004 or to a charity of choice.
Published in the Carlsbad Current-Argus on 8/30/2009
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