John Ash

John A. Ash was born September 4, 1925 in Athens, Texas. He passed away peacefully at home on July 4th at the age of 83. In 1940, John left home during high school to live with his sister Mary in Sabinal, Texas. After graduating from high school, John and his good friend Jamie Durham rode the train together to Waco where they enlisted in the Navy. Shortly after enlisting John married the most spectacular girl, Jean Durham on March 9, 1945 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. When John went to sea Jean returned to Sabinal until the end of the war. After John returned, the young couple moved to Lubbock and John graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Food Technology from Texas Tech University. Before settling in San Antonio in the 1950s, the Ashs lived in Dallas and in Oklahoma where their daughter Rebecca was born. Soon after Beckys birth, the Ash family moved to San Antonio where John began his career in the food industry. Their second daughter Julie was born in San Antonio prior to their move to Crystal City, Texas where he began a 28 year career with Del Monte. Following his retirement, John and Jean returned to San Antonio.

John was an avid hunter and gun enthusiast who loved spending quality outdoor time with his grandchildren. He also loved to tinker with just about everything. John instilled in his family the importance of higher education and took great pride in the fact all of his children and grandchildren will be college graduates.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Gussie Ash, his sisters, Louise Thomas and Mary Petit, and his son-in-law John T. Phillips, M.D. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean, daughters Becky Phillips of Austin, Julie Foster and her husband, Al of Sugar Land, brother-in-law Jamie Durham and his wife Louise, four grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the Sabinal Cemetery on Tuesday July 7th at 10:00 A.M. Rev. Don Snyder will officiate. Honorary pallbearers are Johns grandchildren, Ross and Ashton Phillips, and Mark and James Foster. There will be a gathering for family and friends at the home of his niece, Sally Lawson following the service at 703 N. Houston St., Sabinal, Texas. The family suggests donations may be made to the Hospice of your choice.
Granddaddy, as you sit around the camp fire at that great deer camp in the sky, you will always be in our hearts.

Service