James Ash

James D. Melvin Ash passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Monticello House in Jackson at the age of 94.

He was born Nov. 21, 1916, in Kenton, Tenn., to the late Sam and Minnie Fausett Ash. He was married 68 years to Martha Jeanette Williams, who preceded him in death.

Ash and his wife lived and raised a family in Marston, Mo., until 1966 when they moved to Rockford, Ill., where he worked for Chrysler. After retiring from Chrysler in 1976, the couple returned to Cape Girardeau where he assisted his wife in operating the Fina station on Morgan Oak many years.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Georgia and James Taylor of Lilbourn, Mo., and Nora and Gene Speight of Jackson.

An avid fisherman and gardener, he was known as Gang Gang to his grandchildren, including six granddaughters, Kim and Ronnie Jones of New Madrid, Mo., Kelly and Curt Poore of Jackson, Kathy and Kirk Palmer of New Madrid, Stacey and David Thomas of Washington, D.C., Melanie Speight of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and Amy Speight of Memphis, Tenn.; 11 great-grandchildren, Kyle and Ashley Denton, Katie and Tyler Jamison, Tyler, James Curtis and Park Poore, Makenzie and Mason Palmer, Emma, Joel, Lydia and Meredith Thomas.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

Service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with sons-in-law officiating. Burial will be in Mounds Park Cemetery near Lilbourn.