Thomas E. Ashley

Dr. Ashley died Friday, June 7, 2002, at his home after a long battle with lung cancer.

He was born Jan. 3, 1920, in West Plains, the son of John D. and Mattie (Toler) Ashley. He attended primary school in West Plains and completed his secondary education in Swifton, Ark. He earned a bachelor of science degree in medicine from the University of Missouri Medical School and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School.

After completing his internship at St. Louis City Hospital, Dr. Ashley served during World War II with the Naval Group China and in the Far East. When he returned, he completed his surgical residency at the Veterans Hospital in Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and earned his diplomate from the American Board of Surgery in 1950 and became a fellow of the American College of Surgery in 1953. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, and served as chief of surgery at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, Calif.

After his discharge from active duty, Dr. Ashley settled with his family in Springfield, where he joined the Smith, Glynn, Callaway Clinic. He performed the first open-heart surgery in Springfield at Springfield Baptist Hospital and served as the clinic’s board chairman. He was chief of staff and chief of surgery at both St. John’s Hospital and Baptist Hospital and maintained an active surgical practice at Baptist, St. John’s and Cox hospitals. He was president of Greene County Medical Society and Southwest Missouri Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and he was a governor of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Ashley served as president of the University of Missouri Medical School Foundation and was a board member for 37 years. He was recognized with the Medical Alumni Service Award in 1975 and the Salute to Healthcare Award in 1993.

After his retirement in 1996, Dr. Ashley worked as a volunteer physician at the Kitchen Clinic and as a consultant for the Department of Family Services.

Dr. Ashley also served on the board and as president of Risk Control Associates Inc. and on the boards of American Red Cross and Community Foundation of the Ozarks. He was a member of the Springfield Rotary Club and Hickory Hills Country Club.

He married Mary Carmody on June 16, 1942. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include four sons, John, Asheville, N.C., James, St. Paul, Minn., Michael, Springfield, and Marti, St. Louis, five daughters, Mary Kay Meek, Springfield, Patricia Ashley-Hiscock, Lawrence, Kan.; Jane Heavey, Arlington, Va., Jennifer Blank, Terre Haute, Ind., and Susan Pomerenke, Springfield; 29 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A daughter, Cindy, and a granddaughter died earlier.

The family suggests memorials to the Thomas E. and Mary Ashley Medical and Nursing Scholarship Fund at Community Foundation of the Ozarks, 901 St. Louis St., Springfield 65806, or Springfield Catholic Schools Scholarship Fund, 3520-C S. Culpepper, Springfield 65804.

Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, handled arrangements.