Obituary Review

AHSON OBITUARY/Ellis

JEFFREY AHSON, NAVAL ENSIGN, DIES AT 79

By Paul Ellis





KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Jeffrey R Ahson, a native of Chico Calif, died yesterday at his home due to emphysema at age 79.
"Ahson was a genuine American hero," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jeraldine Fyfe.
Mr. Ahson was promoted to ensign after his display of bravery at the Battle of Midway. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Cross for crossing the burning deck of the USS Emery to pull four wounded sailors and a wounded gunner to safety followed by manning the gunner's seat and shooting down three enemy fighter planes.
After retiring from the military, Mr. Ahson moved to Kalamazoo and joined the Kalamazoo Fire Department where he worked until 1966. He collected firefighting memorabilia and was part of a group that restored a firetruck. He used the restored truck to drive to local elementary schools teaching fire safety to the children at those schools. After retiring from the fire department, he became a car salesman where he worked until 1985.
Mr. Ahson became the post comander of the American Legion 702 and the VFW 4206 in Kalamazoo. He also became a member of Elks Lodge, Gideons International, the National Checkers Association, and was an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ahson married Therese Alpert and they had three children, Richer Ahson, of Philipsburg, Kan; Lela Stalling, of Pipecreek, Texas; and Angela Molino, of Omaha, Neb. He had a brother and two sisters. Henry Ahson, of San Francisco; Judith Eaker, of Reedsville, N.C.; and Shirley Solomon, of Newark, N.J. along with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be held this Friday, 4:00-5:30 and 7:30-9:00 PM at Littleton Mortuary and the burial will be held Saturday at 10:00 AM at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests no flowers.




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