Lance Ash

Lance Ash passed away Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, at the age of 36, following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. A memorial Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, at St. Joseph?s Catholic Church, 360 Park Ave. in Cayucos. A reception for family and friends will follow. Military services were held Friday, Nov. 3, 2006, in Salem, Ore. Interment will take place in Washington National Cemetery (Miliatry) in Portland, Ore. He was born in Salem, Ore., on July 1, 1970. Lance attended Salem, Ore., and Cayucos elementary schools, Coast Union High School and North Salem High School, before beginning his career in the U.S. Army. He was a staff sergeant, serving 17 years in the Army and National Guard, including duty in Operation Desert Storm. His awards include, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, 2 AIMEDs, 3 ARCOMs, Liberation of Kuwait (Saudi Arabia) Medal, Liberation of Kuwait (Kuwait) Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2 and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Lance was to deploy to Iraq when he began experiencing medical problems. Lance loved being with family and serving his country. He enjoyed outdoor recreation, biking, hiking, camping and kayaking. Lance is survived by wife Freedom of Salem, Ore.; daughter Alisha Ash of Ennis, Texas; son Chad Ash of Bardwell, Texas; step son Nicholas Avery of Salem, Ore.; father Garth Ash of Salem, Ore.; mother Kay Ash of Morro Bay; brother Ted, sister-in-law Jasmine and nephew William Ash of Salem, Ore.; and eight cousins on the Central Coast. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lance?s name may be made to Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund, P.O. Box 14350, Salem, OR, 97309-5047 or St. Joseph?s Building Fund, P.O. Box 437, Cayucos, CA, 93430.