Olin Burrell Ashley

Olin B. Ashley passed away peacefully on December 13, 2012 under the compassionate care of hospice in Richardson, Texas. He was born to Claude and Delia Ashley on a small farm near Rule, Texas, on November 24, 1924. At 18, he joined the Marines and served as a radio operator during WWII off the coast of Japan. Upon returning to the states, he attended college at McMurray University in Abilene, graduating with a journalism degree. He spent his entire career in journalism, starting as a reporter for several small West Texas newspapers, and eventually settled in as the editor of The Odessa American for 25 years. He worked at The Dallas Times Herald for a brief time after leaving Odessa, but decided a small town " and a small town newspaper -- was where his heart was, so he finished his career as editor of The Malakoff News in Malakoff, Texas. Not completely content to retire, he worked a beat at the McKinney Courier Gazette a brief time before finally putting down his red pen for good, but he never gave up his love of writing or his nose for news. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Jerry Fay Ashley. He is survived by six children: Nick (wife Alma) Moore, Victor (wife Peggy) Ashley, Kimberly Ashley, Jeff Ashley, Gwen (husband Jeff) Walters and Steven (wife Tish) Ashley, four grandchildren (Clay, Lauren, Alec, and Jake) and one great granddaughter, Reagan. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 22 at 1:00 p.m. at the historic Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, Texas. Charles Smith and Sons Funeral Home in McKinney is handling arrangements. Contributions may be made in Olin’s name to The American Cancer Society.