Michael Ashcraft

Michael "Mike" Ashcraft, 82, passed away on January 3, 2014 in Farmersville. He was the 2nd baby born at Lake Hurst Naval Station in New Jersey on December 12, 1931. His family was stationed numerous places but finally settled outside of Cincinnati in Georgetown Ohio. Mike joined the Air Force and served 20 plus distinguished years, after basic and technical training he was stationed in Japan and was with one of the first squadrons involved in the Korean War. He was stationed at several bases in TX but when he was at Goodfellow AFB he met the love of his life Barbara Mansell. Nellis AFB was his next assignment where he eventually spent 3 years with the USAF Thunderbirds. He then spent 5 years with the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron, stationed at Dyess AFB (TX) and Elmendorf AFB (Alaska), landing C130s with ski pontoons on the ice caps in Greenland, flying treetop into Russia and doing search and rescue in support of NASA were among some of his exploits. He ended his career as a TI back at Lackland AFB (TX) (where he started) passing on his knowledge and Air Force traditions. He started out as a cook but spent most of his career as a flight engineer. He received numerous medals and accommodations during his service of our country. From there he went on to work at Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) in San Diego CA. He helped set up Jet America Airways and was with Evergreen International Aviation. He earned a BA in Business Administration and a degree as a Systems Analyst Engineer in Aviation. He went on to do consulting work and start his own firm AMMA. By this time he was also a full time RVer and was able to travel extensively with his work. We have lost track of how many times hes been around the world. He is preceded in death by his parents Herlie Sr and Helen Ashcraft, brother Dwight Ashcraft, and sons Michael Jr and Steven Ashcraft. He is survived by wife Barbara (of sixty years), daughter Tricia Ashcraft and son Craig Ashcraft, grandkids Melissa Denning and Will Hoach, great grandkids Genevieve and Michael Comeau, brother and wife Herlie & Kay Ashcraft, sister Mary McElroy, sister in law Kathy Ashcraft, sisters in law and husbands Dorisle & Bill Rafferty and Sarasue & Bob Taylor, sister in law Gaylene Mansell, and numerous very dear nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be at Saint Williams Catholic Church, where he was a parishioner of over 13 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 10:00 and Mass at 11:00. Internment will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 12:30 at the DFW National Cemetery.