Naval Hero Will Be Missed

Retired firefighter and Navy Ensign Jeffrey R. Ahson, 79, died last night at his home in Kalamazoo, according to Navy officials. He died of emphysema.
Ahson was promoted to ensign, and recieved the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross, while serving aboard the USS Emery during the Battle of Midway in June, 1942. He saved four wounded sailors and recovered the body of a gunner, assuming his post to shoot down three planes. “Ahson was a genuine American hero,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeraldine Fyfe of U.S. Naval Public Relations.
Ahson was born in Chico, Calif., in 1926. He left the Navy in 1946. He moved to Kalamazoo, serving as a firefighter until 1966. Ahson worked as a new-car salesman until his retirement in 1985.
His enthusiasm for firefighting went far beyond a passion for his job. Known as a firefighter historian, he collected firefighting memorabilia, including a 1924 fire truck he restored with friends. Ahson used his collection to educate area children, driving his fire truck to elementary schools. He generously left his collection to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, where it is on permanent display.
Ahson was a commander of American Legion Post 702, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4206, the Elks Lodge, the National Checkers Association, and Gideons International. He also ushered at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert, and three children, Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kan., Angela Molino of Omaha, Neb., and Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Texas. He is also survived by a brother and two sisters, five children, and five grandchildren.
Services will be held at Littleton Mortuary on Saturday at 10:30 am., followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Viewing will be at the mortuary from 4:00 to 5:30 pm and from 7:30 to 9:00 pm on Friday. The family requests no flowers.