H. R. 26
(By Delegates Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Azinger, Blair, Border,
Canterbury, Carmichael, Cowles, Duke, Ellem, Evans, Hamilton,
Ireland, Lane, McGeehan, C. Miller, J. Miller, Overington,
Porter, Romine, Rowan, Schadler, Schoen, Shott, Sobonya, Sumner
and Walters)
[Introduced March 5, 2010.]
Celebrating the life and lamenting the death of Gene M. Ashley,
former member of the House of Delegates from the County of
Roane, longtime community leader, loving father and
grandfather, devoted public servant, golf aficionado, and a
great asset to his State and country.
Whereas, Gene M. Ashley was the oldest of six children born to
the late Waitman T. and Icie Carper Ashley on Election Day,
November 3, 1920, in the small community of Amma in Roane County,
after his mother rode a horse sidesaddle nearly three miles to
exercise her new civic privilege of voting; and
Whereas, After graduating from Spencer High School and
attending Morris Harvey College, Gene enlisted in the United States
Army and served from 1942 to 1945 in the 301
st Combat Engineers
Headquarter Service Company, 76
th Division, in World War II, serving
in the European Theatre of combat; and
Whereas, Upon returning to West Virginia after his military
service, Gene met the love of his life, Kathleen Harris, and they
were married on Valentine's Day in 1947. From this union, two
children were born, a daughter, Mary Jo, in 1949, and a son, Bob,
in 1953; and
Whereas, Gene Ashley was first elected to the House of
Delegates representing Roane County in 1960 and reelected in 1962,
1964, and 1966. Gene's other public service included two terms as
the Roane County Clerk; and
Whereas, Gene was a member of St. John's United Methodist
Church and American Legion Post 21. He was a 32nd degree member of
the Scottish Rite Bodies, a 50-year Master Mason of Clendenin Lodge
126, and a member of Thelma Chapter 24, Order of the Eastern Star;
and
Whereas, Gene loved the game of golf and following his
retirement he played nearly every day except on Sundays. Even a
stroke in 2004 couldn't keep him off the course for long and with
assistance from his grandsons he still played a few holes from time
to time; and
Whereas, Gene Ashley was a man of integrity, wit and humor who
enjoyed his service to his fellow West Virginians and inspired
others to follow his example of honesty and public service; and
Whereas, Gene M. Ashley entered eternal rest on May 12, 2009,
at the age of 88 and his passing should not go unnoticed; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the members of the West Virginia House of Delegates
hereby express their profound sadness at the passing of Gene M.
Ashley, community leader, loving father and grandfather, devoted
public servant, golf aficionado, and great asset to his state and
country; and, be it
Further Resolved, That this House collectively celebrates,
honors and remembers Gene Ashley's commitment to public service and
to the people of Roane County and the State of West Virginia while
solemnly noting his death; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to his wife, Kathleen
Ashley, and his children, Mary Jo Ashley and Bob Ashley, and his
grandchildren, Benjamin Scott Ashley and Samuel David Ashley.
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