Obituaries: Herbert ‘Herb’ Asher

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Herbert Asher, 84, of John Day, died May 29, 2010, at Blue Mountain Hospital. A viewing and funeral service was held June 4, followed by internment at Canyon City Cemetery.

Mr. Asher was born Jan 15, 1926, in Dayville, to Elmer and Kitty (Young) Asher. He grew up in Grant County with his brothers, Elmer Jr. and Frank, and sisters, Carolyn and Brenda.

On March 17, 1967, he married Ruth Cahill. They began life together on a ranch near Kimberly. After selling the ranch in the late 1980s, they moved to John Day.

Although he worked various jobs from truck driving to operating heavy equipment, he spent most of his life as a cowboy and horse breaker. His fondest memories were of running wild horses and rodeoing. As a young man, he rode saddle broncs and rodeos and later in life he was a rodeo judge.

He was always willing to lend a hand to a friend or a neighbor. Even into his 80s, he sometimes saddled up and help work cattle or horses. He was known for his honesty, generosity and his love of children.

Survivors include his sisters, Carolyn Asher of John Day and Brenda Clagett of Lone Tree, Colo., and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, and two brothers, Elmer Jr. and Frank.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any local high school rodeo club or the American Cancer Society, through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.