Ww-I just this week put the final coat of sealer and made the wing gussets on my "Naughty Lady" that John designed. Peace John

Don

A good guy.  We will miss him.

He lived in Guthrie, Okla for a few years but he pulled up stakes a few years back and went who knows where. I heard he ended up back in Texas for a while.

Wow. He was a very nice guy. I remember him telling me at one of my early contest. "Don't worry about those guys standing out side the circle with them clip boards, just go out and fly your patter and have fun".

He was fun to have around the circle.

God speed John.

  I'm thinking John was at the 2012 Paducah contest? Do you remember that Paul? I think he was having some sort of issues with the tranny in his van and did some work on it in his hotel parking lot. I was one of the last to leave the parking lot and he was checking the fluid level. I asked him if he was OK and he said yeah, just making sure of the fluid level before he headed home, or something like that. I posted the question of whether he got home OK and Paul noticed that he was in a photo of the Dallas contest later on. My son Sean mentioned that he talked to him there, so I guess he was living in Texas. I think I only met him the one time at Paducah, but found him to be a very nice gentleman, one of the many like him that are the foundation of our hobby.
  God speed to you John,
   Dan McEntee

My memory of John goes back to VSC sometime in the early 2000's  I can't remember exactly when.  I do remember him as being a rather quiet guy when I first met him.  

He surprised everyone at the awards dinner by requesting some time to address everyone at the dinner and of course was allowed to do so.

His address was a very surprising one that told of a long illness and an attitude of simply giving up and waiting to die.  He said that all changed when he came to VSC and saw heros from his youth flying model airplanes and the week he spent there and the people he met gave him a new direction in life and a reason to live.  His address touched me and I talked to him afterwards and became convinced that he was genuine in his feelings.  Some few months after that I saw articles by him in Stunt News and became aware of designing efforts that were significant.  I thought, this guy really meant what he said.
I assume that John bought himself a lot of extra time among friends with his changed attitude.

I'm sure a lot of folks in the Vintage Stunt community remember John and will miss him and honor his memory.

Light winds, sunny skies, and tight lines John.  I'm sure we'll meet again!

Randy Cuberly

I remember John from the 1970s, when I was stationed at Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, and would occasionally drive to Amarillo to fly with the Planesmen. He was always a gentleman, very friendly and helpful. I was wondering what happened to him recently. Rest in peace, John.

Bob in NEPA

John will be missed. RIP, John!

John will be missed,  I enjoyed his friendship at Brodaks both at the field and playing guitar with him in the evenings !!!!!!

John brought his guitar to Tucson one year and we did some pick'n and grin'n in his motel room. He was so easy to be around and lots of fun. Ran into him at Tulsa's contest a few times also. He was always friendly and upbeat. Sorry to hear he is gone.

I just heard this afternoon that John Ashford passed away Wednesday. Peace
Norm

I met John at my first Texarkana contest thirteen years ago, Joe Bowman introduced me to him at the motel we were all staying at. From the moment I met him, it was quite obvious he was "cut from a special pattern." We were sort of on the same playing field in the quality of our expertise in the circle; neither of us had completed the full pattern. At the time, I was flying a Midwest Mustang with a K&B Stallion .35, in Beginner.  It was at a meet in Dallas, not long after we met, John flew his first full pattern and so did I. You would of thought we were little kids at Christmas. We both moved up to Intermediate. All through Beginner, Intermediate and into Advanced, John was my main competition. John must of had some "inside information," as he fixed me up with one of the first production Brodak .40s. I still fly it on my current profile and it's one of the finest running engines I've ever owned. John put a lot of effort into his building and flying. He was awarded for his hard work by receiving the title of "AMA District VIII Points Champion."  Following in his footsteps; I was the recipient of the  same title the following year...John passed the perpetual trophy to me. He was one of those special people that only fellow modelers would understand his way of doing things; that he was quick to correct something he thought you should be doing and share his time telling you how; always quick to tease and tell a joke. He will be missed, but every time someone flies one of his designs or if you see one in the circle. John will be remembered...Yeah! John Ashford designed that...and to me? That's cool!   

I was very glad to see John attend our first "MSC" way back in 2006.  I had set up a PA system with music playing for everyone's enjoyment while practicing and tuning on Friday afternoon.  While John was getting a practice flight the "Fireman" a song by George Straight came on.  While still flying the pattern, John started dancing and singing to the song.  His gyrations did not hurt his pattern at all, in fact it seemed to relax him and make him fly better.  He came out of the circle grinning like a possum.  Actually, I can't remember a time he was not grinning.  He always seemed happy and content.  I hope he was and always will be.