Jeffry Ahson, Battle of Midway Vet, dies at 79

Ahson Obituary/Newell
Jeffry Ahson, Battle of Midway Vet. Dies at 79
By Marni Newell



KALAMAZOO, Mich.---Jeffry R. Ahson former Navy war hero and later car salesman in Kalamazoo, died of emphysema Wednesday at his home. He was 79.
Mr. Ahson served as petty officer in the Navy during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Cross for his valor on the USS Emery when he crossed the burning deck to save four wounded sailors and remove a body of a gunner who had been shot down. He also shot down three enemy planes and was later promoted to ensign.
“Ahson was a genuine American hero,” said Jeraldine Fyfe, Navy Lieutenant Commander in a press conference Wednesday.
In 1946, Mr. Ahson moved to Kalamazoo after retiring from the Navy. In Kalamazoo, he developed an interest in the history of firefighters and fire truck restoration, the fruits of his hobby can now be viewed at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
Along with serving as a firefighter, Mr. Ahson was Post Commander at the American Legion post 702, a member of the Elk’s Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars post 4206, the National Checker Association, and Gideon’s International. He was also an usher at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo.
In his later years, Mr. Ahson worked as a new car salesman at Don Seelye Ford in Kalamazoo until he retired in 1985.
Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife Therese Alpert, his three children Richard D. Ahson of Phillibsberg, Kan.; Angela Molino of Omaha; and Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Texas, along with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Henry Ahson of San Francisco; and his sisters Judith Eaker of Reidsville, N.C.; and Shirly Solomon of Newark, N.J.
Viewing for friends and family is scheduled for 4-5:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. on Friday at the Littleton Mortuary. Services for Mr. Ahson will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Littleton Mortuary, immediately followed by his burial at Memorial Park Cemetary. The family has requested no flowers.

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