LaVerl Eagar Ashcroft, 79, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016, at his home in Eagar. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, at Burnham Mortuary in Eagar. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 22, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Eagar Stake Center, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at the Eagar Cemetery. He was born Jan. 24, 1937, in Eagar, the son of Wallace and Beulah Ashcroft. LaVerl was raised in Round Valley and lived there most of his life. He lived in various places in Arizona and New Mexico, including Snowflake, returning back to his roots in 1989, where he remained until his passing. He will be missed greatly by his devoted wife of 60 years, Loretta Winona Ashcroft; and his eight children, Bryan (Juliette) Ashcroft, Lucinda (Roger) Cherry, Colette (Tom) Merrill, Laurie (Calvin) Gardner, Loni Ashcroft, Dean (Mitzi) Ashcroft, Wallace (Deon) Ashcroft and Austin (Theresa) Ashcroft. LaVerl always worked hard to provide for his family, and taught them by his example the value of hard work. His word was his bond, and he could always be counted on to give one hundred percent to anything he undertook. He will always be remembered for his example of service to his family, church, community and country. It was important to him to show his love and support to his family by striving to attend all important events of his children and grandchildren, which took him to the ends of Arizona, Utah, California, Idaho and New Mexico. He worked many years in the electric utility industry, retiring from both Arizona Public Service Co. and Tucson Electric Company, as well as owning and operating NATS (Northern Arizona Technical Services), where he consulted for many different utility companies across the country. LaVerl was a man who always gave and gained the respect of those around him through his honesty and integrity. He was never satisfied with his level of education, and strived to increase his knowledge through coursework and seminars or any other means that were available to him, obtaining his bachelor’s degree from University of Phoenix at the age of 55. His family has always been proud of his example and thirst for higher knowledge. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Beulah Ann (Bobbie) Bowdoin; a brother, Phillip Ashcroft; a granddaughter, Kara Cherry; and a great-granddaughter, Alycia Ashcroft. Survivors include his wife; eight children; 32 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sharon, Susan and Wallis; and a brother, Ross Ashcroft.
