Clifford "Tom" Ashe

Clifford (Tom) McKinley Ashe 8/29/1933 – 7/14/2018 In loving memory of Tom, our father, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle, brother-in-law, special friend and husband of our mother Thelma who passed previously and with whom he is now reunited. He had strong hands and a strong heart, who always gave of what he was and what he had. Many came to the doors of he and Mom’s homes over the decades, in Arcata, CA, Winlock and Napavine, WA and found what they needed; love, a second chance, someone to believe in them when others didn’t, or maybe just a cup of coffee, a hug, a “hello” or a hearty meal. He met Thelma Jansen, the love of his life, 63 years ago, through blowing a straw at each other at an old fashioned soda shop. This July would have been 61 years of marriage for them, this August 85 years for him. They kept simple, honest values over the years as they made a home together and raised three boys and a multitude of cats, dogs, raccoons and other animals. Dad made us all so proud of how he took care of Mom in her final years. Dad loved family and friends, get-togethers with all, card games on the weekends, hunting and fishing here in Washington and occasionally in Canada. In recent years he became a proficient turner of beautiful wood pens. He was a great hunter, and provider. We grew up eating more venison, grouse and salmon than store bought beef. He was born in Tuckasegee, NC on 8-29-1933, to Ramsey and Loreena Ashe. He lost his own father when he was only two. His family moved to the Skagit valley in Washington State when he was thirteen. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School, served in the Army Corp of Engineers rebuilding Korea just after the war, then married Thelma and moved to Arcata, CA. Four years later they moved to Winlock, WA, started raising their boys, then in 1981 moved to Napavine, WA. He passed away into the warm arms of his Lord Jesus, whom he accepted at age 13, this past Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Swedish Medical hospital in Seattle, WA, with his boys at his bedside. As he held us over the years, we held him to the very end. He was not alone. He was very loved and will be greatly missed. Tom is survived by his boys, Michael, Ricky and Timothy Ashe, his grandchildren Ricky T. Ashe, Melissa Toscano, Summer Ashe, Jennifer and Matthew Ashe, several great grand-children, his sisters-in-law, Norma (and Bill) Mitchell, Sandy McGuire, Sharon Paylor, Joy Arendst, Patsy Joe Counts, Linda Lamphiear, daughter-in-law, Elise Ashe and his brothers-in-law, Earl Jansen and Leo (Pat) Tucker and nephews Jeff (and Laura) Ashe and Ed Grove, cousins Fran and Dave Kaufman and numerous other nieces, nephews and extended family. His neighbors Jim and Marilyn Powe were not family in blood, but were in heart these last years. Per his wishes we will have a simple graveside service at 2:00 PM, Monday July 23, 2018 at Napavine Cemetery, 800 E Grand Blvd, Napavine, WA followed immediately by reception at his home at 603 4th Ave NW, Napavine, WA

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clifford "Tom" Ashe, please visit our floral store.