FFAM Historian Passes, Kay F. Asher
Gail Hagans-Reynolds, NewsKay Asher, the much-loved historian of the FFAM, left us on September 21, 2020. If you did not know Kay in some way through her work with the FFAM, it would surprise me. Kay was involved with the FFAM and the FFAM Auxiliary since 1968. Her late husband, Delmon “Jack” Asher, was the historian of the organization for over 25 years. Kay and Jack worked side-by-side to preserve the history of this organization. Not only did they collect our history. But they graciously provided space in their home to store the artifacts. After Jack passed in 2010, Kay continued to collect, preserve and keep the history of the FFAM. She was a major supporter of the firefighter’s museum being built in Kingdom City so that we would have a place for our history. Kay was honored many times and many ways by the FFAM, achieving Spouse of the Year in the Auxiliary in 1995, and she received the Phil Sayer Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
On a personal level, I became friends with Kay early on in my involvement with the FFAM. No one could not be friends with Kay. Her sparkling and bubbling personality reached across space and couldn’t be ignored. I remember when I first met Jack and Kay. I was mesmerized by this giant of a man that towered over this tiny little short woman. She held his hand as they went thru the room, and I might add, kept him in line. Once she got around to me, she grabbed my hand and said, “Now, I’m Kay, who are you?” A force to be reckoned with was my first thought of this precious lady. Her smile was infectious, and her laughter, oh my! If you got her giggling before you knew it, everyone was giggling too. Even the boys! She was feisty, ornery as could be, funny as they come, quick with a hug and a kiss, and if she ever got mad… You’d better watch out! But most of all, she was the dearest of friends, and I’m glad she became one of mine.
We are all saddened at the loss of Kay. We will all miss her greatly at our meetings and conventions. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Asher family. God speed Miss Kay. Continue Reading →