Ronald E Ash rounded third and went home on December 30, 2019. He died at home surrounded by family. He was born October 30, 1938 in Vineyard, Utah to Ezra Owen and Vanza Varley Ash. He married his sweetheart Aleen Edlund on March 25, 1961, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on June 28, 2011. Ron's greatest joy was to be holding hands with his wife and laughing with his family. He is remembered for his contagious laugh, his love of life, and his example of kindness, generosity, and service. His smile and his laughter will be missed by all.
He is preceded in the death by his parents, two brothers LaVar and Jay, and his sister LeIsle Jeffs. Ron leaves behind his wife Aleen, his sister Clesta Ash, a son Cary (Marsha), two daughters and their spouses, Alison (Scott) Linnell, and Alicia (Vince) Kanegae. Eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren were also blessed by his love, his laughter, and his endless support.
Ron worked hard all his life, often working two jobs. He was a printer and worked for Deseret Press/LDS Printing for 40 years and retired in 1999. Ron spent over twenty years coaching and mentoring youth. Whether he was coaching in the Westside Babe Ruth, South High legion or automotive baseball leagues, a National Guard basketball team, or in little league football, he made sure he included and valued every player. He was president of South Youth Football Conference for three years. Ron spent many hours volunteering in the community.
He was a people person and loved talking with and getting to know anyone he met. In 2002, when Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympic Games, he was excited to volunteer and enjoyed working with people and meeting spectators from many nations. He began volunteering at LDS hospital in 2002, and volunteered for the next 18 years, greeting people at the front desk and helping with elder care. He had 6,500 service hours at the LDS hospital, including serving as president of the volunteer council for three years.
For much of his life, Ron struggled with health issues. He lived and fought through type 1 diabetes for almost fifty years. He had heart disease, and in his 60s, had open-heart surgery, and in his 70s, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He joked that he had been a patient in every wing of the hospital except the maternity ward. He was a favorite patient among many doctors, always smiling and fighting each illness with a positive attitude and fierce will to live. No matter his pain, he would joke with his nurses and put everyone around him at ease. His family is grateful for the many nurses, doctors, and caregivers who have kindly cared for Ron and offered him comfort throughout his life.
Ron's funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the Garden Cove Ward, 1945 West 9000 South, with a viewing from 10 ‚ 11:45 am and funeral at 12 noon.
