NameJoseph J. ASHWORTH
Birth1 Apr 1922
Death28 Oct 2010, Eugene, Oregon
Notes for Joseph J. ASHWORTH
Merced Sun-Star, Wednesday, November 3, 2010
JOSEPH J. ASHWORTH
April 1, 1922 - October 28, 2010
Joseph Ashwonh was born to Erwin and Cathryn Ashworth of Yosemite on April 1, 1922. He died in Eugene, Oregon, on October 28,2010. Joseph was a member of a California pioneer family and was a long time Merced County educator. Ashwonh's great grandfather D.C. Ashwonh was an early settler of Mariposa arriving in 1847. His grandfather Phenas was a rancher in Mariposa and was known to be the "fastest gun" in the area. He was also remembered for joining a posse to chase Joaquin Murietta after horses were stolen from the Ashwonh ranch. Several members of the family drove the stage in Yosemite including Joe's father and grandfather.
Joseph served as a Chief Petty Officer on the Columbia in the Pacific theater during World War II seeing duty at Guadalcanal, Rennel Island, and the Battle of Empress at Augusta Bay. He was a member of the Naval Reserve with a rank of Lt. Commander Ret. US Navy.
Ashworth was a long time educator in Merced County. He had degrees from San Jose State and Stanford University. Joe taught at McSwain and was Principal in Hopeton before becoming Principal at Mitchell Senior Elementary in Atwater where he served from 1956 -1982. After retiring he was elected to the Board of Education of the Atwater Elementary School District and served 15 years.
Joseph was a member of many local organizations. He was a charter member of Castle Air Museum, a Board member of the Merced County Arts Council, a life member of the Atwater/Winton Lions Club, a member of the California Senior Legislature, the Merced Historical Society, Castle "Now and Beyond", the Elks Club, and the Merced Country Club.
He was a member and past president of the Merced/Mariposa Retired Teachers Association. Joe loved to sail his boat "MyPhd". He enjoyed gardening, cooking, and socializing with friends. Joe was preceded in death by his wife Anita in 2001. He is survived by nephew Jake Ashworth, niece Carol Ashworth, cousins Roy and Larry Ashworth, and Nancy Keller and her family.
Memorial service is Friday, November 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced. Interment service with Military Honors is Friday at 1 :00 p.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 West McCabe Road, Santa Nella, California.
Donations may be made to Castle Air Museum, Joe Ashworth Fund, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, CA 95301; the Ashworth Library at Mitchell Senior Elementary School with checks made payable to the school, 1753 5th Street Atwater, Ca 95301; or the Merced/Mariposa Retired Teachers' Scholarship Fund, checks made payable to M/M CaIRTA, 2665 7th Street, Merced, Ca 95340.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.