David Wallace Ashton

David Ashton was born March 3, 1956 in Covina, California. He died on December 1, 2016, at the age of 60, after a sustained battle with Cholangiocarcinoma. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Katie Davis Ashton; his father, Gerald Ashton; and his mother-in-law, Allene F. Davis. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon; his son, Grant; his daughter, Emily; his mother, Edna; his Brother, Richard (Robin); his Sister, Shirley (Carl); his father-in-law, Darrell "Doc" Davis; and adoring nieces and nephews, Karen, Sara, Rebecca, Hadley, Amy, Matthew, and Kyle.

In the late 50's, the family moved to Santa Paula where Dave grew up amid orange groves, wide open spaces, and small-town life. At Santa Paula High School, Dave excelled in academics and developed a lifelong passion for competition, ultimately lettering in four sports. He then attended Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in history and graduated with honors. At Azuza Pacific, Dave earned a Master of Arts in education and a teaching credential. Dave then joined the faculty at Paraclete High School where he taught history and coached football. He went on to coach football at Antelope Valley College, the University of Nevada at Reno, and Pasadena City College. The vagaries, uncertainties, and inherent instability of college-level sport led Dave to an important crossroad. Placing the best interest of his family above his passion for sport, Dave left coaching to earn a Juris Doctorate from La Verne University. Following graduation, he joined the law offices of Epson, Kahl, and Milburn, ultimately becoming a full partner and practicing law for over two decades at Milburn and Ashton.

Throughout his life, Dave Ashton brought a rigorous and vibrant intellectual curiosity to every aspect of his life. Whether the situation was of lesser or greater importance, it was given patient consideration. From the sublime (Pauline, or Hegelian Christianity?) to the mundane (a ficus carica, or quercus agrifolia in the front yard?), he crafted well-reasoned responses to life's queries, always meeting the complex as well as the simplistic with a gracious spirit. If a life-of-the-mind represents one of the two pillars of his life, then humility in all things would be the other. He was a thoughtful councilor who, when asked, willingly listened before sharing his insights. He preferred college ball over professional, and championed the tradition of scholarly athletes--think Stanford. He enjoyed a good joke, fine wine, and great food. His barbeques due to his culinary skills, their proper application, and his attention to detail. His heart was large and his home was open. And through it all, the depth and breadth of his love for and commitment to his wife, Sharon, his son, Grant, and his daughter, Emily never wavered or dimmed. He always put them first. And to those of us left behind, his loss is of a magnitude yet to be fully calculated.

Services will be held at Joshua Memorial Chapel, Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Graveside Service to follow.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the City of Hope.