JOSEPH J. ASHWORTH

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Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home

1490 B Street

Merced, California

JOSEPH ASHWORTH Obituary

April 1, 1922 - October 28, 2010

Joseph Ashworth was born to Erwin and Cathryn Ashworth of Yosemite on April 1, 1922. He died in Eugene, Oregon, on October 28, 2010.

Joseph was a member of a California pioneer family and was a long time Merced County educator. Ashworth's great grandfather D.C. Ashworth was an early settler of Mariposa arriving in 1847. His grandfather Phenas was a rancher in Mariposa and was known to be the "fastest gun" in the area. He was also remembered for joining a posse to chase Joaquin Murietta after horses were stolen from the Ashworth ranch. Several members of the family drove the stage in Yosemite including Joe's father and grandfather.

Joseph served as a Chief Petty Officer on the Columbia in the Pacific theater during World War II seeing duty at Guadalcanal, Rennel Island, and the Battle of Empress at Augusta Bay. He was a member of the Naval Reserve with a rank of Lt. Commander Ret. US Navy.

Ashworth was a long time educator in Merced County. He had degrees from San Jose State and Stanford University. Joe taught at McSwain and was Principal in Hopeton before becoming Principal at Mitchell Senior Elementary in Atwater where he served from 1956 -1982. After retiring he was elected to the Board of Education of the Atwater Elementary School District and served 15 years.

Joseph was a member of many local organizations. He was a charter member of Castle Air Museum, a Board member of the Merced County Arts Council, a life member of the Atwater/Winton Lions Club, a member of the California Senior Legislature, the Merced Historical Society, Castle "Now and Beyond", the Elks Club, and the Merced Country Club. He was a member and past president of the Merced/Mariposa Retired Teachers Association. Joe loved to sail his boat "MyPhd". He enjoyed gardening, cooking, and socializing with friends.Joe was preceded in death by his wife Anita in 2001. He is survived by nephew Jake Ashworth, niece Carol Ashworth, cousins Roy and Larry Ashworth, and Nancy Keller and her family.

Memorial service is Friday, November 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced. Interment service with Military Honors is Friday at 1:00 p.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 West McCabe Road, Santa Nella, California.

Donations may be made to Castle Air Museum, Joe Ashworth Fund, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, CA 95301; the Ashworth Library at Mitchell Senior Elementary School with checks made payable to the school, 1753 5th Street Atwater, Ca 95301; or the Merced/Mariposa Retired Teachers' Scholarship Fund, checks made payable to M/M CalRTA, 2665 7th Street, Merced, Ca 95340.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Merced Sun Star on Nov. 3, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH ASHWORTH

5 Entries

zoe wentz

November 11, 2010

I knew Joe as a friend when I was a12 in 1971. I knew him right up until Anita died. He vanished. But form 1971-2001; Joe, Anita and I had fun together.
They loved to entertain and travel. We spent happy hours in long conversations. I spent my 21st birthday on Joe's boat then along with my brother Lew; we went to the Madonna Inn. (You should go!) We gave each other gifts; no one could wrap a treasure like Anita.
When I was little; Santa would keep new bikes and doll houses at their house. They were the kind of people Santa would trust.
They tried to urge me to not work so much. They wanted me to travel and entertain. They were right. Joe and I often pondered what would come after death. Our conversations were far reaching, rapid and passionate.
No better friend and mentor could I have than Joe Ashworth.
Mitchell Senior Elementary, Atwater CA Class of 1973
Zoe Wentz

Claudia Guest-Noyes

November 6, 2010

Joe and Anita were good friends of our family. He watched all of us go through Mitchell, and when my daughter was in school there, he watched over her, and gave her advise and encouragement when she needed it...He was a kind, and loving man, that encouraged all the children that passed through his hallways...Thank you Joe Ashworth for the great memory's that you left with all who were lucky enough to have you in there life.

Anthony Braxton

November 4, 2010

Mr. Ashworth was not only my principal when I was a middle school student some 37 years ago.. he continued to encourage me every time I saw him in and about the community. In many ways because of his persistent encouragement (and insistence) that I too become a middle school administrator I now have fulfilled the destiny he saw for me decades ago. Thank you Mr. Ashworth. You will be missed.

Rob Schiffler

November 3, 2010

Joe and Anita were a wonderful part of our family's lives. They always remembered our sons' birthdays and holidays and served as surrogate grandparents when Dad passed away. I have numerous memories of sailing, fishing and hunting trips with Joe and my Dad. Joe was a kind, generous and thoughtful man. We loved him and will always miss him.

Stratford Evans Funeral Chapel

November 2, 2010

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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