Bernard "Sarge" Ray Sargent

Bernard Ray “Sarge” Sargent was born in Ashland, Ohio on June 3, 1933. His parents were Herbert Ray and Frances Dawson Sargent. The Homerville High School graduate of 1951 went on to earn degrees from Ashland College (now Ashland University), Tulane University, University of Hawaii, and Vanderbilt’s Nashville School of Law.

He served his country and his fellow man in the United States Coast Guard and as a forward-thinking hospital administrator who pioneered architectural enhancements that are still used in modern building today. Government service called upon him as he led the Department of Health for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), then later assumed the triumph of the oppressed and downtrodden as an assistant public defender for the 9th Judicial District of Tennessee.

He wed Margarita Zulay Sargent of Costa Rica in 1966, when they both were working for State Hospital North in Coeur d’Alane, Idaho. Upon retirement, Sarge returned to his beloved Ashland, pouring his heart into the community of his youth by serving as a temporary city councilman for Ward 2, as a committee member for various supervisory committees, and by developing relations for industrial advancement.

Never was his time more valuable or his heart happier than when volunteering with Ashland University Athletics. For the last 15 years, he joyfully coached and mentored dozens of nationally rated athletes, many of whom carried his lucky coin and his spirit to victory on and off the field.

On Sunday, his spirit ascended to heaven on the wings of the Ashland Eagle’s victory, having celebrated the #1 ranked women’s basketball team win.

Mr. Sargent was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Rhea Vivian Sargent and Naomi Caryol Bridenstine. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Vivian Zulay Sargent; nephew, Evan Bridenstine; “adopted” son, Christopher Alexander; dear friend, Ruth Detrow; former wife, Margarita; and the woodland creatures of Ashland County Parks, with whom he regularly communed on his morning walks.

A celebration of his life will be hosted on Saturday, March 10, 2018, in the VIP room of the Troop Center at the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex at 800 Broad Street, Ashland. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. with words of welcome from Pastor Scott Myers and continue until 5:00 p.m. We invite you to bring and share your favorite “Sarge” stories with family and friends. The Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.