Gordon Benjamin Ashby

Gordon B. Ashby, 87, of Polson, MT, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, peacefully in his sleep in the Hospice unit of St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, MT. Gordon was born in Minnesota on June 16, 1924 to Benjamin and Lylian Ashby. He grew up in the Highland Park area of St. Paul, MN and was a 1943 graduate of Monroe High School. Gordon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps immediately following graduation and proudly served our country during WWII in Guam, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and China. He was awarded the Purple Heart and proudly wore his Purple Heart jacket and hat up until the end. Following the war, he returned to St. Paul to attend Macalester College where he graduated in 1950 with a degree in history. While at Macalster, he played football and was a starting lineman for the 1947 'Mac' championship team. He started his working career with teaching and coaching positions in Russell, Marshall, and Wabasha, MN. He began teaching and coaching football and hockey in the Roseville School Systems in 1953 until 1965. In 1966, Gordon moved to Forest Lake, MN and stayed until retirement in 1983. He taught many different subjects, but his favorite was always WWII history. He continued coaching football but later switched to girls fast-pitch softball. After his retirement, Gordon headed out West and settled in Missoula, MT where he met Lucille Keck. The two eventually married in 1985 and moved to Polson where he enjoyed his train building, golfing, Friday night dinners at the Elks Lodge in Polson and enjoying the company of anyone who visited. He is survived by his loving wife, Lucille: two sons, Dennis (Sandy) of Henderson, NV, and John (Lynn) of Blaine, MN: two daughters, Patricia Lankford (Alan) of Overland Park, KS, and Judy Ashby of Oakdale, MN: six grandchildren, Deanna, Adam, Rachael, Brian, Scott, and Todd, and three great-grandchildren, Ellena, Jake, and Michael. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to caregivers Rula and Barbara who made Gordon's last years very enjoyable. Gordon's friends and family will gather to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E, Polson, from 4:00 ' 6:00 PM. In lieu of any flowers, donations are encouraged to the Alzheimer's Foundation or to the Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family online by visiting www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Ashby's family.
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