Ernest Ray “Ernie” Asay

Sept. 27, 1933 – Feb. 21, 2016

Ernest Ray “Ernie” Asay was born on Sept. 27, 1933, in Lovell to Irvin and Dovetta Robison Asay. He died Feb. 21, 2016.Ernie grew up learning how to work on the family farm milking cows, helping his father at his mechanic shop, riding horses and playing basketball. Ernie was a fantastic dancer and loved to go to all the school dances. After graduating from high school, he worked at Vaughn and Ragsdale clothing store in Columbus, Mont. While there, he attended some of the local school dances and met his sweetheart Nancy Lee Mandeville.[caption id="attachment_10964" align="alignright" width="274"] Ernest Ray “Ernie” Asay[/caption]Ernie and Nancy were married in Columbus on July 16, 1955. Shortly thereafter, Ernie joined the U.S. Army and was deployed to Korea, where he served his country as an Army Pvt. chemical warfare specialist for four years. He later joined the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he served until his honorable discharge.After returning from his military service in 1960, he met his first daughter, Cindy, 3, for the first time, who was born while he was in Korea. Ernie resumed his career in the clothing business in Greybull, where his first son David was born. The family moved many times as he worked his way up and gained experience working in stores in Miles City, Forsyth and Townsend, Mont. The couple’s third child, Lori, was born in Forsyth followed by Jeff, in Missoula, where Ernie had moved to start working in the Tempo clothing store chain.Ernie was then transferred to another Tempo store in Twin Falls, Idaho. His dream opportunity of owning his own clothing store came in 1972 when Ernie and Nancy moved their family to Superior and purchased the Skogmos Clothing Store, which eventually became the AC Family Department Store. They made their final home and raised their family at a ranch on Mullan Road nestled in the beautiful mountains of Superior.Along with running the only clothing store in the small town of Superior, Ernie was involved in many civic organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and the Mineral County Hospital Board. He also helped bring new business ideas and improvements to the community for many years. He drove school bus for 35 years, a job that he loved and was dear to his heart, as many of the children that he took safely to and from school grew up to become strong members of the community. Many helped take care of him in the last years of his life.Ernie was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions and callings including Branch President. He was influential in assisting with the building and expansion of the new chapel for the church and local congregation. Most importantly, he was a wonderful and loving father and grandfather to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, his parents, brothers Don, Bud, Ivin and sister Carma. He is survived by his brother Gary and Glenda Asay of Lovell, sister Norma Eyre of Billings, daughter and son-in-law Cynthia Lee and Rockie Nethercott of Barrow, Alaska, son and daughter-in-law David Ray and Liz Asay of Superior, daughter and son-in-law, Lori Ann and Tom Bauer of Superior, son and daughter-in-law Jeffrey Kay and Jennifer Asay of Salt Lake City and 20 loving grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be held at the LDS Church, 16 Moats Lane, Superior, Mont., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. Viewing is 1- 2:30 p.m. Services are at 3 p.m.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the “Nancy Lee Asay Music Scholarship” fund at Superior High School, 410 Arizona Ave, Superior, MT 59872. For more information call 406-822-4851 or 406-822-3604.