ASHE, Hubert

Hubert Ashe, 75, of Christiansburg, died Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at his home. He was born October 12, 1930, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He was a graduate of Knoxville High School, Class of 1949, and was active in football, baseball and ROTC. Mr. Ashe was a graduate of Carson-Newman College, Class of 1959, and played football and baseball, earning eight letters. He also was a graduate of Radford College, Class of 1969, earning a Master of Science degree.

He was inducted into the Carson-Newman Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 1999, largely due to his honorable mention all-american status on the gridiron, he led the nation in punting and was a stand-out tailback. He was a United States Army Veteran.

Early in his career, Mr. Ashe was employed by Gatlinburg High School and by Chilhowie High School. He continued his career at Ft. Chiswell High School from 1960 1971, where he was Varsity Head Football Coach, Varsity Head Baseball Coach, Eighth Grade Baseball Coach and Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Civics teacher. From 1971 1995, Mr. Ashe was employed at Virginia Highlands Community College, where he served as inaugural Director of Continuing Education.

Mr. Ashe played professional minor league baseball in Morristown, Tenn., in the 1950’s. He played fast pitch softball from 1965 1975, and slow pitch softball from 1976 1990. He coached the Bristol Recreation League football from 1971 1975, with his teams winning several city-county bowl championships. Mr. Ashe coached Senior League baseball and Little League baseball from 1971 1978, and he was the All Star baseball coach representing the Washington County League, numerous times.

In 1978, following cardiac bypass surgery, Mr. Ashe began a routine of jogging 35 miles per week; he continued to do this until 1992, running a total of 17,000 miles.

Mr. Ashe proudly attended all activities that his children Tony, Terry and Laura participated in. He enjoyed hiking and spending time in the Smokies with his family at his sister’s cabin. He was a member of the Abingdon Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Tuell Ashe, Christiansburg, Va.; his sons and their spouses, Tony and Beth Ashe, Blacksburg, Va., Terry and Tracy Ashe, Seymour, Tenn.; his daughter and her spouse, Laura and Lewis Ashwell, Roanoke, Va.; his sister and her spouse, Emily Ashe Oakley and Fred Oakley, Knoxville, Tenn.; his grandchildren, Corey Ashe, Brittany Ashe, Whitney Ashe, Taylor Ashe and Hunter Ashwell.

The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 2 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with full military honors to be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Church Veterans Honor Color Guard. Those sending expressions of sympathy on line may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Va. is serving the Ashe family.