AHSOM OBITUARY/Brinkman

WWII Hero Dies

By Kara Brinkman

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Jeffery R. Ahson, 79, World War II veteran and retired firefighter died in his home last night of emphysema.

“Ahson was a genuine American hero,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeraldine Fyfe.

Mr. Ahson played a heroic part in World War II. He served as a petty officer aboard the USS Emery during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. When a fellow sailor was shot, Mr. Ahson took up the vacant gun post and shot down three enemy planes. He saved four sailors’ lives. Those brave acts won him a Purple Heart and the Navy Cross, and promoted him to the rank of ensign.

Born in Chico, Calif., Mr. Ahson moved to Kalamazoo after the war where he became a firefighter. He retired from the fire department in 1966 and worked as a car salesman until 1985. He collected firefighter artifacts for much of his life and left these artifacts to the Kalamazoo Museum.

Mr. Ahson served as post commander in the American Legion Post 702 and VFW Post 4206. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, National Checkers Association, and Gideons International. He also served as an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Ahson is survived by wife Therese Alpert; daughters Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Texas and Angela Molino of Omaha, Neb.; son Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kan.; brother Henrey Ahson of San Francisco; sisters Shirley Solom of Newark, N.J. and Judith Eaker of Reedsville, N.C.; and 5 grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday at 10 am at Littletone Mortuary followed by a burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Viewings will be held Fridat night from 4-5:30 pm and 7:30-9 om. The family requests no flowers.