Robert Stanley Ashfor

Robert S. Ashford, age 69, of Globe, Arizona passed away on January 28, 2014 at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. He was born in Monte Vista, Colorado on January 21, 1945 the son of Thurston and Ruby (Pirtle) Ashford. He grew up in Miami, Arizona and graduated from Miami High School in 1963. In 1965 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. After the service he attended school to become an Information Technology (IT) professional. He started his IT career at the Pinto Valley Mine and worked for several companies that owned the property, lastly BHP, retiring in 1999. The same year he went to work as the Director of Information Technology at Apache Gold Casino and Resort retiring a second time in 2012. Always valuing education Robert earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1991 and completed his Master of Business Administration and Technology Management degree in 1999, both from the University of Phoenix. Robert was proud of his service to Gila County by serving on the Gila Community College Governing Board. He served on this board for 14 years in many capacities including Governing Board President for 12 years. He was a pioneer in establishing the Gila Community College Provisional District, which was among the first functioning provisional community college districts in the country. Throughout his life Bob enjoyed many activities including camping, hunting, fishing, golf, photography, jewelry making, reupholstering antique furniture, gardening, landscaping, restoring his Datsun 280Z, and caring for his pets which included puppies, kitties, and a large koi fish pond. Robert is preceded in death by his parents Thurston and Ruby Ashford, brother Edgar Ashford, and sister Rheva Grantham. Robert is survived by his wife JoAnn Ashford of 20 years, his son Kevin Ashford (Carol) of Miami, Arizona, his daughter Michael Flores of San Tan Valley, Arizona, his nieces Trena Grantham and Melanie Kerckhoff, and his nephew Bain Grantham. Visitatation will be on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Miami, AZ Followed by Rosary at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Interment will be at Pinal Cemetery, Resthaven Section, in Central Heights, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - 844 W. Sullivan St. – Miami, AZ 85539 - in Robert’s name.