George Ashton, 53, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017.

George was born Aug. 20, 1963, in Austin to Kenneth and Darlene Ashton. His family moved to Albert Lea in 1968. George is a 1982 graduate of Albert Lea Senior High School and joined the United States Army in August that same year. George started his career in the Army as a medical supply specialist and later reclassified to communications electronic maintenance supervisor.

While stationed at his first duty station, Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, he met and married another soldier, Kathy Williams, of St. Louis on Feb. 14, 1986. George and Kathy had two children, Anja Aimee in 1987 and Kenneth John in 1989. Together the family would serve tours at Camp Humphreys in Korea, Fort Campbell in  Kentucky, Geibelstadt Army Air Base in Germany and Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

While stationed at Fort Huachuca, George came to know Jesus as his savior and was baptized along with his wife, Kathy, on June 4, 1994. George and Kathy served the Lord as a team in the children’s ministry at Thunder Mountain Community Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and Christian Fellowship Church in Columbia, as well as the Christian Motorcycle Association, where George was known as “Dudels” the motorcycle clown. Later they served with the Living Waters Ministry at Christian Fellowship Church, where George’s testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness to him helped lead many to healing and wholeness.

He retired from the United States Army in August 1998 from Camp Humphreys in South Korea as a sergeant first class and the family moved to Columbia. After retirement, he worked in positions in security, pharmacy and medical records at Boone Hospital Center; military services coordinator and serving the public servants coordinator at Columbia College; as internal auditor at Veterans United Home Loans; and as a voucher auditor at  Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. George also owned his own home business as a notary signing agent, and at the time of his passing was enjoying working as “George the Uber Driver.” George was a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Ashton; children Anja (Andrew) Eick and Kenneth Ashton of Columbia; granddaughter, Josephine Ashton of Columbia; mother, Darlene Ashton, of Lawton, Oklahoma; siblings Linda Boroff of Albert Lea, David (Linda) Carpenter of Alden, Pamela (Keith) Pyatt of Gold Hill, North Carolina, Kathy (Paul) Zerbe of Lawton and Tammy (Ben) Dolsen of Emmons; and several nieces and nephews.

His father, Kenneth Ashton, preceded him in death.  George also leaves countless friends behind, as he made friends wherever he went.

A private family service will take place at Memorial Funeral Home, and the burial with full military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia. A public memorial service will take place at a later date at Christian Fellowship Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Desert Stream Ministries’ George Ashton Memorial Fund, 706 Main St., Grandview, MO 64030; Christian Motorcyclists Association’s George Ashton Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 9, Hatfield, Arkansas 71945; Coyote Hill Christian Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1, Harrisburg, MO 65256; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.