Joe Glenn Ash, age 81, passed away at his home December 22, 2021. His passing was peaceful with his family at his side. He was born November 18, 1940, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to his parents, the Reverend Joe Smith Ash and Bernie Blanton Ash. Because his father was a Baptist minister, the family moved frequently, so Joe attended several different schools in East Texas. In the late 1950s the family moved to Orange Grove where Joe was an outstanding athlete at OGHS, competing in football, basketball, baseball and track. He graduated from high school in 1959, then attended the University of Corpus Christi.
The Ashes moved to Hebbronville in 1958, and it was there that Joe met his lifetime love, Bette Gay Hunter. The couple started dating in 1961 when Bette asked Joe to take her to the Junior- Senior Prom at Hebbronville High School. Bette and Joe became engaged in 1962, and even though Bette attended Trinity University while Joe remained in Corpus at UCC, their love never wavered and they were married on June 6, 1964. In 2014 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and were married for 57 years.
Joe graduated from UCC in 1964 and taught and coached at Ingleside Junior High School for one year while Bette finished college at UCC. He then joined the staff of the university as director of student housing and student activities, a position he retained until 1973. During this time Joe graduated from East Texas State University with a master’s degree in counseling and guidance. That year he accepted the position of high school principal at Agua Dulce High School and later became the superintendent of Agua Dulce ISD.
In 1984, Joe joined his father-in-law, Bobby Hunter at Hunter-Stroman Oil Company, later Hunter-Ash Oil, a wholesale Exxon-Mobil dealership with offices in Alice, Hebbronville, Freer and Three Rivers. Following Bobby’s death, Bette and Joe moved to the family ranch near Alice! to be near Bette’s mother while Joe continued to operate the Hunter family ranching business.The couple always welcomed visitors to their home, and many fun parties were enjoyed by family and friends.
Joe was a very active member of the Alice community He was so proud of his thirty year membership in the Alice Rotary Club, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow and serving as the club president. He was also a member of the Alice Ambassadors and the Coastal Conservation Association. He was a founding member of Coyote Cooks, a charitable organization which donated food and cooking services to community organizations needing assistance with fund raising and he was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Alice.
He was predeceased by his parents, Joe Smith and Bernie Ash and his two sons, Joe Bob and Crayton Dean Ash. He is survived by his daughters Rachal Ash and Sarah Ash, his grandchildren, Shelby Dougherty, Avery Phillips and Robert Phillips, his sister Karen Bishop,
And many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Graveside services will be held at the Hunter Ranch Cemetery, Tuesday, December 28 at 2 pm. Ranch attire is acceptable and encouraged. Parking space is limited so please carpool if possible. Pallbearers are Robert Phillips, Jeffrey Stroman, Reggie Shannon,Robert Rodriguez, Jerry Smith, and Dan Harrison. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Dohoney, Steve Pearson and all members of the Coyote Cooks.
The family requests that donations in Joe’s memory be made to the Episcopal church of the Advent, Box 1937, Alice, Texas 78333 or to Joe’s greatest contribution to the Alice community, the Dean Ash Memorial Scholarship awarded each year to the outstanding scholar athlete graduating from Alice High School. To date, thirty scholarships have been awarded to outstanding graduates of Alice High School to help with their college careers. Please send donations to the Dean Ash Memorial Scholarship Fund, 4973 N. US Highway 281, Alice, Texas 78332.
Joe Ash was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He attended all his children and grandchildren’s school, 4H and rodeo activities. He was an avid golfer, fisherman, and hunter. Later in his life he became a team roper to honor his son, Dean. He taught his kids and grandkids to hunt, fish and camp while instilling lessons about life, values and manners. We are going to miss all of his lectures and freely given advice especially “You are driving too fast!” and “No hats in the house.” We know that he is at peace enjoying being with Dean and all his family and friends who went ahead.
Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.
