Marvin Ashby

Marvin Ralph Ashby, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend passed away Saturday, November 24, 2012 at home. Marvin was born September 18, 1926 in Fielding, the oldest of six children born to Ralph and Emily Wood Ashby. Marvin was raised in Fielding and lived his whole life in the Bear River Valley. When he turned 18 during his senior year at Bear River High School he was drafted into the army during World War II. In the Philippines he served in the 6th Ranger Battalion, and then as part of the occupation troops in Japan, he served in the 110th Communications Battalion. He received his high school diploma while serving in the military. In 2009, at a Veteran’s Ceremony, he received a metal for his military service in World War II. After the war, he served an LDS mission in the Hawaiian Islands. In 1950 he married his sweetheart, Yvonne Ravsten. Marvin worked for the U&I Sugar Company and also was employed at Thiokol. Marvin has always loved farming and has run his own farm in West Garland for over 50 years. An entrepreneur, Marvin, with his family, started several family businesses including Ashco Inc. Marvin has served in all areas of the Boy Scouts of America for over 60 years on the local and district level. He influenced 100s of boys, helping them achieve rank advancements and Eagle Awards. His service was recognized when he received the Silver Beaver Award in 1998. Marvin worked for the LDS Welfare System for 15 years, first as the director of the Garland Cannery and then for the General Welfare System where he designed and installed equipment and set up canneries around the United States and Canada. Marvin loved music and sang and played his guitar for family and friends. In the military he performed with USO groups and had his own radio program while stationed in Japan. He also helped form and played in a good will band while serving in Hawaii on his mission. For many years he and his wife played in an orchestra called the Serenaders and later he organized a family band with his own family and played for dances and programs across the valley. Marvin served in many callings in the LDS church his whole life including Bishop of Garland II Ward. In 1992 he served a second mission with Yvonne in the West Virginia, Charleston Mission. They also served as ordinance workers in the Logan Temple for many years. Marvin and Yvonne celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2010. In 2010 he was honored by Bear River High School with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his military, community and humanitarian service. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne, eight children, Annette (Michael) Bair - Willard, Lorene (Paul) Saunders - Richmond, Laurin (Holly) Ashby – Mesa AZ., Rodney (Rose) Ashby - Garland, Douglas (Dana) Ashby – Caledonia MI., Lyle (Angela) Ashby – Longmont Co., Gary (Jennifer) Ashby - Meridian ID., Diane (Ryan) Ball – Germany; fifty two grandchildren and spouses, and 38 great-grandchildren; his five siblings, Lamar (Julene) Ashby - Trenton, Carl (Barbara) Ashby - Tremonton, Erla Dean (Wendell) Burgess - Tremonton, Lea Marie (Dennis) McNeeley – Honeyville, Coy (Bonnie) Ashby - Fielding. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter-in-law, Janet Baugh Ashby. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Garland Tabernacle (140 W. Factory St. - Garland) with Bishop Eric Packer officiating. Viewings will be held Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home (111 N 100 E - Tremonton) and on Thursday November 29th at the Garland Tabernacle from 9-10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Garland City Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to local Boy Scouts of America Units.