Ralph Ashby

Ralph H. Ashby, 82, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Tempe on March 12, 2006. Mr. Ashby was born on the family farm in Leamington, Utah on October 13, 1923 to Nathaniel and Jean Amanda Johnson Ashby. His birth was assisted by the local plumber who was working on their home at the time. As a life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mr. Ashby served others generously, working as a Branch President, Temple worker, Young Men's softball coach, and finally as financial clerk for 15 years. It was at his prompting and influence while serving in Vietnam, that a small LDS chapel was built for the Servicemen in Bien Hoa. Mr. Ashby's military life began at age 17, welding Liberty Ships in California. His long and devoted service with the United States Air Force spanned 25 years. He served in three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam, earning several decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After being trained as a bombardier/navigator aboard B-17's and B-25s, WW II ended and he entered pilot training, eventually flying P-51Ds, then working his way through to the RF-4C Phantom. The F-86 was his favorite aircraft to fly. After retiring as a Lt. Colonel, Mr. Ashby worked as a New York Life insurance agent for 35 years. His large and continually growing family was the centerpiece and focus of Mr. Ashby's devotion and constant love. Consistently optimistic and ever cheerful, he was a wonderful, generous, kind and giving son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather. Nothing brought him greater happiness than to be surrounded by his family. Each family member and friend is ever grateful for his life, cherishing each hour, day and year spent with him. Preceded in death by his parents and 6 siblings, Mr. Ashby is survived by his wife of 33 years Janice Schweikart Ashby and his 8 children: Ron Ashby (Deb), Pleasant Grove, Utah; Douglas Ashby (Sherrie), Mesa; Greg Ashby, Phoenix; Nick Ashby (Martha), Sierra Vista; Janna Dwiggins (Dave), Mesa; Fred Ashby (Julie), Mesa; Niles Russell (Denna), Chandler; Neil Russell (Yinong) Silver Spring, Maryland; 34 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren (with 4 more coming); and 1 sister, Vera Watts of Springville, Utah. A Visitation will be held Monday, March 20, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Lakeshore Ward Chapel, 6001 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. Interment is in the Mesa City Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund, the Arizona Humane Society, 1521 W. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85041, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Messinger Indian School Mortuary. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.