Revision: Jeffrey Ahson Obituary

AMERICAN HERO IS REMEMBERED AND HONORED


KALAMAZOO, Mich., - Navy Veteran and renowned firefighter Jeffrey Ahson, 79, passed away from complications of emphysema.
Mr. Ahson served in the Navy during World War II. He fought the battle at Midway of 1942, where his ship, the USS Emery, was attacked. Ahson rescued four wounded sailors and shot down three planes during his fight.
“Ahson was a genuine American hero,” Jeraldine Fyfe, Lieutenant Commander of the US Navy, said.
Ahson received a purple heart and a navy cross for his efforts and was promoted Ensign. He left the Navy in 1946.
Ahson moved from his hometown Chico, Calif. to Kalamazoo in 1966, where he became a firefighter. Locals knew him as a “fireman historian” and after restoring an old fire truck, Ahson visited local schools toting his collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia. His exhibition is on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
Mr. Ahson was a member of Elk’s Lodge, Checker’s Association, and Gideon’s International. He was also an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert; brother Henry Ahson of San Francisco; sister Judith Eaker of Reidsville, N.C.; sister Shirley Solomon of Newark, N.J.; daughters Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Tex. and Angela Molino of Omaha, Nebr.; son Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kans.; and his five grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday at 10 AM at the Littleton Mortuary. A burial at Memorial Park Cemetery follows. Viewings are 4:30 to 5:30 PM and 4:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday. The family requests no flowers.