Thomas Jay Ashford

Date of Birth: July 7, 1948 | Date of Death: February 5, 2012 | Service Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Sunday, February 5 saw the passing, at the age of 63, of Thomas Jay
Ashford, beloved husband, son, brother, father of six and grandfather to
18. Jay enjoyed a 38-year career at IBM before retiring just this past
November due to his declining health. He was known as a friend to all,
whose cheerful smile and gracious compassion were ever present.

He spent his adult life in service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
serving twice as Bishop and, in the last years of his life, as
First Counselor in the presidency of the Kyle Texas Stake of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in countless other ways, some
public, but so many more private. The legacy he cared most about is the
family he leaves behind. He spent every spare moment with his children.

A memorial service to celebrate his life and legacy of faith will be held
at the Kyle Stake Center (3751 Trail Ridge Pass, San Marcos, TX 78666) on
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm. The family will be available for
visitation from 1:00 to 1:45 pm. The family requests that in lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to a local blood bank or to the CenTex Red
Cross.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512-353-4311. www.penningtonfuneralhome.com

9 Condolences

Daren & Ellen Dance
February 7th, 2012 on 2:09 am

Dear Ashford Family, we were saddened to hear of Jay’s passing. However, we are grateful for knowing you and your service to us. We are just 2 of the thousands of people that Jay’s life blessed. Your friendship is one of the highlights of our years in Texas. Memories of our associations will always be with us.

Daren & Ellen Dance
Brigham City, Utah
Tom Arthur
February 7th, 2012 on 4:16 pm

I worked with Jay for many years at IBM. He was in software development and I was in hardware development. Jay was of a shining example of consistently upholding IBM’s basic beliefs of customer service, desire for excellence and respect for the individual with the highest integrity and openness — a good man in every sense of the word.
Tracy Williams
February 7th, 2012 on 7:11 pm

Jay was great to work with at IBM. Prayers go out to you and your family.
Laura Pomeroy
February 7th, 2012 on 7:31 pm

Dear Ashford Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time!
The Rundquist Family
February 8th, 2012 on 2:11 pm

Mike, we love your family. We have been praying for you – that you may blessed with feelings of comfort and peace. As we’ve knelt in family prayer, our children have been able to be strengthened in their hope of a way for families to be together forever.
Sherry Schena
February 8th, 2012 on 3:15 pm

My dearest Jan and family,
May the wonderful memories and peace stay with you always. I will miss the sight of our big Jericho leaning against Jay when you can over to visit. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Brother Scott Winters
February 8th, 2012 on 5:37 pm

I am so sorry to hear of Pres.Ashford’s passing. I ,to this day ,live by some of his teachings. He matter how busy or whom he was speaking to always paused to say hello to me. As a convert I was always impressed that he knew my name. It was just a few weeks ago that I gave the closing prayer in sacrament an as I turned to leave he stopped me and asked if I was ok. He could always see into the soul of a person. Just that concern made me feel important and better. He stayed late for some recommends then helped my wife, Bro. Drury and I work on the sound and video for the seminary broadcast that evening. I was amazed in the know how he had . I truly loved being in his presence. God bless y’all
Bro Winters. ( 1 st counc EQ PRES )
Seguin Ward
Keith & Tracey Pease
February 8th, 2012 on 6:41 pm

Dear Ashford’s, how grateful we are for your family. We love and appreciate you and pray the Lord’s blessings to be with you at this time and in days to come. It was indeed a privilege to serve and associate with Jay. He’s a man of integrity, truly sincere, and a friend through and through. We will miss him dearly.
Jim Ondak
February 16th, 2012 on 8:02 pm

I first met Jay in 1972 in Buffalo, NY when we worked together at Cornell Aeronautical Labs. We recently connected again at IBM in 2009 when on a project together. Truly one of the nicest people and colleagues you could have. He and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers.