Ashley Davis Rich Jr., 91

Ashley D. Rich Jr., died Feb. 15, 2012, of natural causes, at the Montana Veterans Home where he had lived since April of 2011. Ashley was almost 92 years old and had lived in good health until six weeks prior to his death.

Born in Richmond, Texas, Ashley spent many years in the South. He went two years to college at Texas A & M, majoring in engineering.

After college, he married Betty Gallagher to whom he was married for 54 years. From college he went into the Army and served for several years as a captain in the infantry in the South Pacific. When he returned to Richmond he began his engineering business and his family.

After building a successful pipeline protection business, he moved his family to the high mountains of Colorado in 1964, and began his cattle business. Ranching was truly his love and he would be involved in ranching for many years to come.

When he got out of ranching, he ventured successfully into several small businesses: in Fort Collins, Colo., the natural health business and a furniture store; and in Dallas, a neighborhood grocery where he and Betty were a positive influence on their regular customers, especially the youth.

When Ashley and Betty retired, they traveled the United States for several years enjoying all the sites and meeting new friends wherever they went. After seeing the country, they would split their time between Texas and Montana to be with their families.

Ashley was preceded in death by his parents, Ashley Sr., and Josephine; his sister, Sara, and his wife, Betty.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Beauchamp, in Georgia; brother, Bob Rich, in Texas; daughter and son-in-law in Mesquite, Texas, Kathy and Roy Berry; and daughter and son-in-law in Kalispell, Susan and Dan Stevens. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Marshall Reed of Kalispell, Stuart Reed of Spokane, Joel Stevens and wife Erica, and Michael Stevens, all of Kalispell, and Patience Burns and family of Renton, Wash. Grandchildren in Texas are Davis and Tanya Berry, and Dana and Rob Taylor. He was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Christian service was a passion, and the donation of his body to medical research to further serve mankind was his final wish. A private family service is planned for the future.

Ashley will be remembered as a Christian and a gentleman, and will be missed by many.