AASU Basketball Enthusiast Ashley Dearing Passes Away

SAVANNAH, Ga. - AASU Athletic Hall of Fame citation award winner and Pirate basketball enthusiast Ashley Dearing passed away on Saturday at the age of 85. The sponsor of the Ashley Dearing Cup, given annually to the best free throw shooter each season for the Pirates, Dearing will be missed by the Armstrong Atlantic community as well as the Coastal Empire area.

Dearing began the Ashley Dearing Cup in 1954-55 to emphasize the importance of the free throw. The recipients of the award read as a who's who of AASU basketball over 54 seasons, including the 2007-08 award, given to Jamaal Galloway (pictured) who set the single-season free throw percentage record at AASU.

The following is the obituary published in the Savannah Morning News on Monday, March 30.

Ashley K. Dearing, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 27, 1923. He moved to Savannah in 1936 when his father became owner of Dearing Chevrolet Company on West Broad Street. Following his father's death, he and his brother continued to operate the business until 1986 when they sold the company. He was a super baseball player and grew up on Washington Avenue. His teenage years were marred when he was struck by polio at age 16. Following his somewhat recovery that left him with leg braces and crutches and in later years, a full time wheelchair, he never looked back. He devoted himself to give of his time and efforts to make this world a better place. He loved working with youth and much of his accomplishments benefit young people. He overcame the enormous disability of having polio and never allowed that to interfere with his involvement with community affairs. He has given tirelessly of his life to others and particularly to youth. He is a past president of the Savannah YMCA and is an Honorary Life Member of the Y. He served for many years on the Boy Scout Savannah Advisory Council helping young men earn their merit badges in automotive. He was active with the American Legion Baseball program and many young men today remember his transporting them to Legion baseball games. Since 1954, he annually has given the prestigious Ashley Dearing Award in Savannah to the city's Most Versatile High School Athlete. This award will continue in his memory. Likewise, since 1955, he has awarded the Dearing Cup to an Armstrong Atlantic basketball player with the best foul shot percentage. In recognition of his contributions and commitment to Armstrong College, he was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as an Honorary Member in recognition of his support and contribution to university athletics. For many years he has sat on the sidelines to see his Florida Gators take the field. He is a member of the Savannah Area Gator Club. He has been a member of the Savannah Quarterback Club since 1948 and was recognized at 50 years as a member. He recalled their meeting in the old Desoto Hotel. This club has been very special to him because of his love of sports and the friendships he has developed in and through the club. He is a former member of the Savannah Jaycees and was one of the founding members of the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame. This group cited him for his service and support of local athletics in 1973 and honored him as a citation honoree. He was one of the longest serving members of the City of Savannah Recreation Commission and retired from the Commission after over 50 years. In 1984, the City of Savannah Recreation Commission developed the Daffin Park playground for handicapped children and it was named and dedicated in his honor. He has been a member of the Savannah Exchange Club since 1965. This club honored him by naming and presenting to him their distinguished Book of Golden Deeds Award for Service to Mankind. He is a member of the Victor B. Jenkins Boys Club and served on their board of Trustees. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and has served as a Junior Warden of the Church Vestry. His is a member of The Chatham Club and the Savannah Yacht Club. For someone who had all reason for not being able to do something, he never let that stand in his way and has had a lifetime of accomplishment. He will be missed by many who called him a friend. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Ashley K. Dearing, Sr., and Sara C. Dearing and his two brothers, William H. Dearing and Edwin Palmer Dearing. Survivors include his wife, Angela Exley Dearing; two sons and daughters-in-law, A. Kennon Dearing, III, and wife, Jane; and Stephen C. Dearing and wife, Rita; three grandchildren, Sarah, Matthew and Daniel; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was a resident of the Isle of Hope. Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 30, 2009 at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Funeral: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at St. John's Church Episcopal Church. Burial: Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Remembrances: St. John's Episcopal Church or the Victor B. Jenkins Boys Club. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com a> Savannah Morning News March 30, 2009 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .