Dr. Thomas O. Ashwell

Dr. Thomas O. Ashwell, 73, Jamestown, North Dakota died Saturday March 25, 2006 in Jamestown, ND.
Dr. Ashwell was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 24, 1932.
He graduated from the University Of Toronto Medical School in 1956 and his internship and residency were completed at Toronto Western Hospital and at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.
He and Helen Robinson were married May 25, 1957 in Toronto.
Dr. Ashwell then practiced in Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada where he was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce for nine years, on the Ontario Medical Assoc. Committee for Accidents, a member of the Police Commission for nine years, on the Ontario Good Roads Commission, a member of the City Council for two years, an elder with the United Church for ten years, he was the Water Commissioner from 1968-1976 and was the Mayor of Smiths Falls for nine years. Dr. Ashwell also belonged to the local Rotary, Civitans and JayCee Clubs. For six years he served as the Chief of the OB/GYN Smith Falls Hospital, and was Chief of Medical Staff Smith Falls Hospital for four years, and was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award in 1976.

While in Canada, Dr. Ashwell was also involved in Sports Car Racing obtaining a Professional License and finishing third in the 1967 Canadian Championship. He was the Traveling Team coach for the Smith Falls Minor Hockey League Association until 1979.

Dr. Ashwell and his family moved to Jamestown, ND in 1979 where he joined the Jamestown Clinic (now Dakota Clinic). He became a member of the board of Directors for Blue Shield of ND in 1980. In 1986 he served as Chairman of the board for Blue Shield of ND and remained on the board until 1992. Dr. Ashwell was also a Fellow of the University of Harvard Medical School. From 1990-1992 he served as a Director of Jamestown's Chamber of Commerce.

As a hockey enthusiast, Dr. Ashwell was a Level 4 certified Hockey coach and was the head coach for the Jamestown Bantam A Hockey Team from 1980-1987. He was an avid golfer and also a fan of both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Argonaut football team.

Dr. Ashwell is survived by his wife Helen, Jamestown, ND, his children, Rebecca (Gary) Walker, Dunnville Ontario, Canada, Jennifer (David) Pendleton, Mooresville, NC, Thomas, Savage, MN, Wendy, Queen Creek, AZ, seven grandchildren, Sheppard, Caitlinn, Griffin, Daniel, Benjamin, Stephen and Christopher and 1 sister Deanne (David) Nelsen, Northville, MI.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Owen Ashwell of Thistletown Ontario, Canada and by his youngest son Timothy Robin Ashwell, MD of Wausau, Wisconsin.
Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Friday March 31, 2006 in St. Johns Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND with Rev. Doug Opp, officiating.
Visitation- 9-9 Thursday at the Funeral Home