David Ashbolt

David Moore Ashbolt, age 73, of Battle Creek, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2017. He was born February 13, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. At three days old, he was adopted by Willard Orion Moore and Esther Gleiss Moore. David had a great childhood with his parents, both of whom were funeral directors and embalmers. He lived with his parents in an apartment over the funeral homes’ main office on Cass Avenue in Detroit. There were 7 other locations in the chain. His father Willard passed away unexpectedly when David was 5 years old. He and his mother continued to live at the funeral home until when he was 11, his mother married Samuel S. Ashbolt, a long-time friend and fellow church member. They moved into Samuels’ home in Northwest Detroit, but his mother continued to manage the funeral business. Within 3 years they moved to his home in Franklin, Michigan a northern suburb of Detroit. David lived there until he graduated from high school and moved away to attend the University of Michigan. He received a Master of Sacred Music degree from the University of South Carolina and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from LaSalle University. His nickname from an early age was “Doc”. Now there was a good reason for that. David was a talented musician, having started to learn to play the pipe organ at age 3. Although he couldn’t reach the pedal board with his feet, he learned the manuals and registration techniques. He played for school masses at age 8 and held his first paid church position at age 10 in Detroit. Although it was only supposed to be a summer position, it turned out to be a 3-year position. David continued his studies, performed recitals and concerts, and at age 16 played an organ concert with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Ford Auditorium. He was hailed as a child prodigy from an early age. His first organ instructor was Dr. Louise Allinger, of the Wayne State University Music department. At 16, he spent the next 5 summer vacations in New York studying with the worlds’ renowned church and concert organist, Dr. Virgil Fox. Upon graduation from U of M, he entered the United State Coast Guard. Upon his discharge, he worked as a funeral director in Virginia, Florida and South Carolina. During most of this time, David worked part-time at radio stations in the area as an announcer. His deep, melodic voice was a natural, and he loved the business. He moved to Battle Creek to work at WBCK Radio in 1984. He worked full time at the station and was Organist and Choir Master at First Baptist Church. He retired in 1994. For the past 12 years he has been the organist at Custer Chapel. David, K8OLY, was an avid amateur radio operator and spent many enjoyable nights working stations all over the world. He was also Net Control for the Calhoun County SkyWarn nets and the City of Battle Creek and Calhoun County Warning Siren Test, which takes place the first Saturday of each month. He was assisted by his friend, Roy LaFountain, W8BCK as his back-up operator if he was unavailable. He was a member of the Southern Michigan Radio Society (SMARS) and the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL). David was married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Katherine Jones at age 20. In 1990 he married Katherine Marie Lindergren of Milwaukee, WI. She passed away in 2006 from complications related to MS. David is survived by his dearest friend, Patricia A. Miller, his caregiver, Randall L. Green, friend, Mark Burchard, and his children Brenda and Braxton.; a great musician, Recording Engineer and friend of 60+ years, Norman K. Elder of Poway, CA, many friends, other amateur radio operators and acquaintances. In accordance with his wishes, David has been cremated and a Memorial Service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Custer Chapel, 560 General Avenue, Springfield, MI. Interment will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home www.henryfuneralhome.org