Fred Ashworth

Fred D. Ashworth, 83, longtime resident of Ponca City went home to be with his Savior on Friday, January 23, 2009. Fred was born on September 3, 1925 to William Sydney and Anna Lee Elam Ashworth east of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He moved to Ponca City at an early age and attended McKinley Grade School, Ponca City High School and one year of college. He entered the United States Army at age 18 serving in the Infantry in Combat on Okinawa and the Southern Philippines in the 184th Infantry 7th Division from there to Korea serving with the Military Police. He was given a ribbon with two bronze stars and a good conduct medal. He proudly served from November 1943 to February 1946 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. He married Ruby McDaniel on August 16, 1946 in Columbus, Kansas. She passed away on June 26, 1996. Fred was employed at Conoco for many years until his retirement in 1983. Fred loved sports, especially baseball where he played in school and at Conoco where he also coached. He was a Charter Member and Deacon at North-East Baptist Church. He enjoyed doing crafts and made miniature Christmas trees, bird feeders, bird houses and many other items that he would give to his friends. Fred loved his family and spending time with them. He belonged to the R.S.V.P. Retired Senior Volunteer Program and enjoyed all the senior activities. He married his second wife, Juanita Powell Coulter in March of 1999 with whom he shared his life with for nearly 10 years. He loved people and will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Juanita; daughter, Donna of Ponca City, Oklahoma; son, Bill Ashworth and wife, Dee Dee of Sequin, Texas; one brother, Don Ashworth and wife, Peg of Enid, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Tanya Henderson and husband, Jerry of Edmond, Oklahoma, Andrea Ashworth and Brandon Ashworth of Texas; four great grandchildren, Cheyenne and Anna Taglialatela of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Colby Taglialatela of Kansas and Ashton Henderson of Edmond, Oklahoma; two step daughters, Debby Arnold and husband, Tom of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Kenita Kendle and husband, Alan of Blackwell, Oklahoma; four step grandchildren, Beau Kendle of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Krista Hatfield and husband, Chris of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Deidre Arnold of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Brock Kendle and wife, Wilma of Ponca City, Oklahoma; four brothers in law, Mack McDaniel and wife, Nancy of Georgia and John, Fred and Paul Powell of Helena, Oklahoma; sister in law, Erma Toothman of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ruby; grandson, Tony Taglialatela and wife, Deanna; three brothers, John, Lynn and Max Osborne; and four sisters, Pauline, Christine, Billie and Bonnie. Casket bearers for the service will be Tom Arnold, Alan Kendle, Jerry Henderson, Kenneth Conely, Beau Kendle and Brock Kendle. The family will be at Grace Memorial Chapel on Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to receive friends and other family. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2009 at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Joe Tompkins of Faith Tabernacle, officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.