Leroy Ash

Leroy H. "Skeeter" Ash died on Jan. 10, 2014 after a long illness. Skeeter was born on Aug. 31, 1952 in Las Cruces, N.M. to Bob and Drucilla (Allred) Ash. He attended schools in the area, graduating from Mayfield High School. He received a Basic and a Master Ferrier Certificate from NMSU and partnered up with Dan Aldrich trimming and shoeing horses up and down the valley, until he enlisted in the Navy and served our country during the Vietnam era. After discharge he returned to the Mesilla Valley and continuing with skills acquired in the Navy started a career in the electrical industry that he pursued until his death. Skeeter held both NM Journeyman and Electrical Contractors licenses, and was well respected for his knowledge of the trade. Along the way he followed equipment operator, and wrangled a trip to the Antarctic ice in support of the US scientific community. In his later years he worked as electrician for Jet Con Inc, White Sands Forest Products and two different General Contractors at the Las Cruces NASA site. Skeeter was also a pretty fair, self-taught machinist, and could turn out fine custom rifles. While informing friends and former coworkers of his passing we learned that they called him "MacGyver" after the TV character that could build or fix anything with a roll of duct tape and a Swiss army knife. Skeeter enjoyed hunting and fishing and the outdoors, but his real passion was wringing a little more accuracy or velocity out of a rifle, generally one that he had built or modified. Skeeter is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sheri of the family home, children Christopher Ash or Rio Ranch, N.M., Shera Winings of Alamogordo, N.M., Patrick Sewell of Angel Fire, N.M. and three granddaughters. He is also survived by a brother Darrell (Marti) of Las Cruces, N.M. and nieces Sara Ash-Georgi (Geoff) and Stephanie Nunez (Michael). Those who met Skeeter saw a rough, gruff exterior, but those who truly knew him saw the caring, sensitive man who would give his work away to those that he felt weren't able to pay, or loan tools to almost total strangers, often never seeing them or his tools again. He was always available to those that needed his help, but was reluctant to ask anyone for their help. At Skeeter's request, no services are planned. We mourn his passing, but are grateful to have known him.