Newspaper

» Show All     «Prev «1 ... 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 ... 363» Next»     » Slide Show

Ash was a family man, doctor and friend

The Newton Kansan

Ash was a family man, doctor and friend

Dr. Gary Ash knew what it meant to be committed to something - whether it was his practice of optometry, family or community. "He was the most loving, giving person," said his wife Paula Ash of Newton. "He was very much into charitable works through the Elks and Shrine. He was a family man and he took care of his patients." Ash, who spent most of his professional career as an optometrist in Newton, died Friday at age 72 at Newton Medical Center. His funeral is today.

He was a past state president and district depot grand exalted ruler of the Elk's Organization. For the last 15 years he served as the State of Kansas' scholarship chairman for the Elk's National Foundation.

Eight of the state scholarship winners from Kansas went on to win national scholarships. He was a past president of the Newton Country Club, a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

"I have known him for years through the Elks and the VFW," said friend Don Moody. "He was one of the charter members of the auxiliary. He was an outstanding man and did outstanding things for the community. ... He was the kind of guy you always wanted around. He was always ready to help his neighbors."

Gary Ash moved to Newton with his first wife in 1958. He opened his practice and began getting involved with the community.

He and his wife learned to know others in town, through club memberships, bridge games and golf games.

Gary Ash was an avid, and good golfer. He and his wife had three children. In 1992, Chlora passed away. He later married Paula, a close friend who had moved away from Newton.

"I was a high school guidance counselor in Osborne and he sent out packets for scholarships," Paula Ash said. "I called him, I asked if he was the only Gary Ash in Newton."

The two began seeing each other and married three years later.

He continued to work and play golf, two things he loved.

"He played golf as a little boy and his father played as well," Paula Ash said. "When he was growing up in Topeka they lived a half a block away from the Shawnee country club. He'd walk to the course and start playing on hole 16. He passed his love of golf to his son Trent as well. Trent is working with one of my grandsons who has an aptitude for golf. It is passed on from generation from generation."

Gary Ash was dedicated to his practice - Paula Ash said he literally worked until the day he died.

He worked Friday, the day he passed away. He often responded to patient calls after hours.

"It didn't matter if they called after hours because their glasses were broken or whatever," Paula Ash said. "If they called after hours they'd come here. It didn't matter. He worked up to the day he died. He worked Friday. His patients always came first to him."


Owner/SourceHarvey County Genealogical Society
Date24 Jan 2006
Linked toGary Kennedy Ash

» Show All     «Prev «1 ... 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 ... 363» Next»     » Slide Show




Home Page |  What's New |  Most Wanted |  Surnames |  Photos |  Histories |  Documents |  Cemeteries |  Places |  Dates |  Reports |  Sources