Passed away February 20, 2023.
JAY was born in Lamont Missouri, the only child of George O. ASH and Hazel (Arnold) Ash. As a boy he worked with his father on the farm managing crops and a dairy herd. As a teenager, the family moved to Sedalia, Missouri where George worked for the state street department, and Hazel worked for Town and Country Shoe Manufacturing Company. JAY attended Smith Cotton High School, playing basketball and baseball. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and married Dolores “Dee” Lang of Pacific Missouri, that same year.
JAY served 8+ years in the Marine Corps including 13 months In Korea during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
When discharged from the military the couple moved to Kansas City. JAY's career spanned more than 40 years, working for Household Finance, GC Services Co., and eventually owning his own businesses in the finance, electronic billing and collections industry. His work took he and Dolores around the United States relocating many times living in Louisville, Kentucky, Long Island, New York, Houston, Texas, and Huntington Beach California to name only a few. Among his many responsibilities, JAY opened new offices for the companies, performed training and managed employees and clients. In 1991 JAY decided to retire, and the couple moved to Palm Desert, California. The next year he realized retirement was not for him just yet, and went back to work purchasing West Coast Operations in San Diego, California. There, JAY served as President and CEO until his final retirement in 2011.
JAY was not a golfer and did not engage in hobbies, his work was everything to him. However, he did own race horses near Santa Anita, California, for several very enjoyable racing seasons. He also invested in a complex of condominiums at Osage Beach in the Lake of the Ozarks in the 1990’s, and enjoyed relaxing by the water.
JAY and Dolores enjoyed a long and happy life together until her sudden death in 2005.
In his retirement, JAY enjoyed vacation trips to Beach resorts. Tahiti, Bora-Bora, Mexico and Gulf Shores were among his favorites. He loved the ocean and felt most relaxed on a beach.
JAY relocated one final time in 2022 to the Kansas City area, to be near loved ones, and top medical care. Always a strong and healthy man, he became ill and somewhat fragile in his later years.
JAY was known as a serious and hard working businessman, a tough negotiator and problem solver. He was also kind and generous, and a mentor to many of his associates and employees. He would proudly offer assistance, and create opportunities to further the careers of others in his employ. JAY appreciated hard work, honesty, loyalty and rewarded it generously. He had a grateful and generous heart, and appreciated the thoughtfulness and generosity of others.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
JAY is survived by Terri Smith, his fiancé of 16 years. Dolores’s nieces and their families. Kelly Meyers of KCMO, Carla Duryee of Overland Park, a nephew Clint Cook of Blue Springs, and so many good friends across the country from Kansas to California.
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