Harold Lee Ashton

He was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on August 18, 1927, to Clarence James Ashton and Winifred "Winnie" (McCullough) Ashton, and grew up in the same area. While he spent his childhood in the South, he always said he was not a country boy, but a city boy, due to the fact that his mother ran a small store and boarding house in town and he did not experience life on a farm.

Harold moved to Michigan in 1960 to take a entry-level position at General Motors Fisher Body in Livonia. After moving up to a machine maintenance position he retired in June of 1991. While at GM, and keeping in step with his fondness of politics, he was very active with the local United Auto Workers union.

Retirement years 2003 through 2006, found him and his wife Cathy living on Lake Thunderbird in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. Living on a lake, family in the area, and the charm of the Ozark area gave them many happy memories. Always well dressed with pressed pants and crisp-starched shirts, folks in town began to believe Harold was a retired doctor, often referring to him as "Doc." He corrected as many as possible, but upon leaving Arkansas to return to Michigan he found his final gas bill was addressed to "Doctor Harold Ashton."

Harold acknowledged Jesus Christ as his Savoir and was baptized at Woodside Bible Church on September 17, 2011. He has been an attendee there since residing in Shelby Township. At the onset of becoming a Christian he determined to read through the Bible, beginning with Genesis, and ending with Revelation. After successful completion he began again.

Harold was preceded in death by loving wife Catherine (Eicholtz) Ashton of 33 years, and Helen (Estes) Ashton of 19 years, and son Harold "Hal" Ashton, and leaves behind daughters and son-in-law, Rene Ashton of St. Louis, MO, Sharon Green of Sterling Heights, MI and Marsha & Tim Laden of Rochester Hills, MI.

He is survived by grandchildren Sandy Fry (Rick), Christopher Green (Liza), Meredith Groat (Thaddaeus), & Michael Laden, and great-grand children Heather Branum, Katarina Kavins, and Trent Green.

He was predeceased in death by cherished sisters Mabel Mason, Patsy Tyner, and Ruth Foster and three brothers-in-law.

He is survived by many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of long-time friends.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at Woodside Bible Church located at 6600 Rochester Rd, Troy, MI 48085. Visitation will be 10am to 11am, and memorial service begins at 11am. Family and friends are welcome to share a meal immediately after the service at the same location. Family only for internment at 3:30pm at Michigan Memorial located at 32163 Huron River Dr., Flat Rock, MI 48134.

In lieu of flowers gifts can be given to the Akha Light Thailand Orphanage which provides food, clothing, a safe place to live, and the love of Christ to abandoned or at-risk children in Thailand. Checks may be made payable to Woodside Bible Church and sent to the address above (please note gift is in memory of Harold Ashton). Or you may go online here;

https://woodsidebible.infellowship.com/UserLogin/Index?ReturnUrl=%2fOnlineGiving selecting "Thailand Orphanage Sponsorship" to make a monthly or one-time gift of any amount.

The family believes that when someone passes, their life does not end but rather changes. We believe that Harold has reached a place of everlasting peace alongside Jesus Christ. While we grieve his passing, with our grief comes the lightness of hope.

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Ps. 30:5b