Ahson Obit

War Hero Dies at 79

By Toni Skalican


KALAMAZOO, Mich-- Jeffery R. Ahson, a Navy war hero of WWII, died of emphysema last night in his home.

"Ahson was a genuine American hero," said Jeraldine Fyfe, a representative from the Office of Navel Public Relations. In the 1942 Battle of Midway in the Pacific, Mr. Ahson crossed the burning deck of the USS Emery to save four of his fellow military officers, persisting through the battle to shoot down three enemy planes. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Navy Cross for this bravery, and he was promoted from his post as petty officer to Ensign.

Mr. Ahson was born in Chico, Calif., in 1927. He served in the military for four years.

His accomplishments include service at legion post 712 and VFW post 4206. He was also promoted once more while in the mililtary to Commander.

After retiring from the Navy in 1946, Mr. Ahson came to Kalamazoo and served as a firefighter for 20 years. He retired from the fire department in 1966, and became a car salesman for 19 years. He finally retired for good at the age of 58.

Mr. Ahson remained active in the religious community, as an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church and a member of Gideons International.

His hobbies included the restoration of a 1924 fire truck with friends, a vehicle he drove to local elementary schools to parade for students; and playing checkers, as a member for the National Checkers Association.

Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert; a son, Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kan.; two daughters, Angela Molino, of Omaha, Neb., and Lela Stalling of Pipecreek, Texas.; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Henry Ahson, of San Francisco, and two sisters, Judith Eaker of Reedsville, N.C., and Shirley Soloman of Newark, N.J. The family requests no flowers.

Viewing will take place Friday at Littleton Mortuary from 4-5:30 p.m., and again from 7:30-9 p.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the mortuary, followed by burial at Memoral Park Cemetary.