Forrest Fremont Ashcraft

ASHCRAFT, OSBORNE

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 8/4/2009 at 21:06:58

Death Notices and Guest Books for 2/21/2004
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Ashcraft, Forrest
- 2004
Forrest Fremont Ashcraft, 81, of Davenport, passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2004, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, Davenport. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 23, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Runge Mortuary. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gary Lee Ashcraft Memorial Fund at Handicapped Development Center or Scott County Special Olympics.

Forrest was born on July 13, 1922, in Rockingham Township, Iowa, the son of Forrest Fremont Sr. and Lillie (Osborn) Ashcraft. He was united in marriage to Betty Haver on November 28, 1946, in Davenport, Iowa.

He was a graduate of Davenport High School and of the FBI Academy. He also did course work at the University of Iowa, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, St. Ambrose College and Western Illinois University.

He served in the Army Air Corps in 1943-1945 during World War II. He was stationed with the 397th Base/Headquarters Squadron on the isolated island of Attu in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska in Japanese held territory.

In the late 1950s, along with his wife Betty, they created Valley Bus Company. The company's mission was to transport mentally and physically disabled children throughout Scott County from their homes to schools and back. At the height of the company, they transported more than 100 handicapped children a day. Along with his wife, he had established the Gary Lee Ashcraft Memorial Award through the Handicapped Development Center. The Award has been given annually for over 10 years to a staff member at the Handicapped Development Center who exhibits personal excellence in work and life. The Award was established in memory of their son Gary who had Downs Syndrome and passed away in 1985.

He had a 44-year law enforcement career with the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department and the Scott County, Iowa, Sheriff's Department. He began his law enforcement career with the Davenport Police Department in 1948 as a foot patrolman. Forrest worked his way up the department ranks serving in almost every department post and in 1966 was named Chief of Detectives for the Davenport Police Department. In 1975 he was appointed acting Chief of Police for the city of Davenport and served in the position until 1976. He was then elected State Senator of the 41st District Davenport in 1976 fulfilling a previous official's term. He served two years in the Iowa Senate. In 1978, he was appointed Scott County Sheriff. Forrest was elected Scott County Sheriff in three consecutive elections: 1980, 1984 and 1988. His tenure as Scott County Sheriff is the longest in the history of the county. He retired honorably as Scott County Sheriff in 1992. He had escorted and guarded several dignitaries, political candidates and United States Presidents, including John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.

Forrest had received numerous awards and honors throughout his lifetime, but his two most meaningful honors were the Congressman's Medal of Merit presented by Iowa First District Representative, Jim Leach, in 1992 and Davenport Central High, Hall of Honor in May 2003.
His memberships included, longtime member of St. John's United Methodist Church, Davenport; National Association of Sheriffs; Iowa Sheriff's Association; FBI National Academy Associates; Iowa State Policemen's Association (past president); Board of Directors Jerry Rabner Boys Ranch; Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and Peace Officer Association Inc.; Internal Association of Chiefs of Police; Past member of the Davenport Noon Lions Club; Past Exalted Ruler of the Davenport Elks Lodge No. 298; Past Member of the Benevolent Order of the Moose, Davenport; and American Legion. He also was very active in Scott County Special Olympics.

Forrest Fremont Ashcraft had chosen to live and commit his life to the city of Davenport, Scott County, the state of Iowa and the United States of America in such as way that all of these communities can be proud to have had him as a member. He not only lived his life in dedication to his community, but had instilled that sense of community spirit and love in his family, his friends and the many talented staff members he has worked with through the years.
Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife of 57 years, Betty, Davenport; children and spouses, Judy and Ron Carney, Davenport, Forrest Jr. and Nancy Ashcraft, Sun Lakes, Ariz., Debra and Brian Huch, Davenport, Shari Tisinger, Davenport, and Jeff and Crista Ashcraft, Eldridge, Iowa; grandchildren and spouses, Matthew and Jami Denger, Rebecca and Brent Zanella, Derek Ashcraft, Brandon Ashcraft, Shea Ashcraft, Christopher and Gina Huch, Peter and Jessica Huch, Jeffrey Tisinger, Megan Tisinger, Alexa Ashcraft, Jordan Ashcraft, and Benjamin Ashcraft; four great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Anthony, Caleb and Natalie; and his faithful dog, Heidi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, his son, Gary, and granddaughter, Melissa Ashcraft.

There is a picture of his beautiful mother at find a grave also.

FIND A GRAVE
 

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