(Due to Covid-19 concerns, all who attend the Funeral Service are REQUIRED to wear a face mask and practice social distancing)

Reverend James Robert Gash, III born April 18, 1947 a native of Asheville, NC was called home by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 9, 2021. He was the son of the late James Robert Gash, Jr., and Edna Mae Ashley. 

Rev. Gash attended Stephens-Lee High School and graduated from ICS Newport/Pacific High School August 4, 1989. He worked in construction for many years and helped build the Asheville Civic Center, which is now known as Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. He also worked at Steelcase for 15 years. 

He was an avid drug-free powerlifter and won lots of trophies in Asheville and throughout the state of North Carolina and other states as well. He deadlifted, bench pressed, and squatted. His wife, her mother, who is deceased, and his oldest daughter, traveled with him to different tournaments in which he participated. He was published in the Powerlifting USA Magazine where he beat Joe McDougal in a North Carolina State Championship. Those in Asheville who trained with him gave him “props” for being the drug-free first and second place winner at the many tournaments he traveled both near and far to participate. 

His hobbies were power lifting, spending time with his three granddaughters, and four great-grandsons. He played his congas, bongos, Didgeridoos, and taught his oldest two great-grandsons how to play chess. Before he became ill, he enjoyed playing golf with his brother, Phil; his son-in-law, Lance; and his daughter, Kim-which is son-in-law Demetrius drove them around. 

Rev. Gash was very serious about the Lord. He started his journey as a member at Hill Street Baptist Church. One day, he decided that he and his girls needed to be altogether with his wife, Sandra as members at Brown Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He said, “A family that prays together, stays together.” In 1985, he began his ministerial journey under the leadership of Reverend Lynwood Leverette (deceased) at Brown Temple C.M.E. Church. He was an Ordained Minister November 26, 1986; received his Credentials of Ministry July 21, 1988; became a Local Deacon July 16, 1992; became an Elder July 11, 1996; and appointed Pastor of Forest Chapel, Fair Forest in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1996. 

The Man of God we are cherishing this afternoon is the Reverend James Robert Gash, III.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Gash, Jr.; his mother, Edna Mae Ashley; his oldest sister, Antionette Barksdale; and his brothers, Ernest Charles Gash and Richard Gash. 

Left to cherish his memories is his beautiful and loving wife of 54 years (whom he let everyone know he did not want to leave) Sandra Byrd Gash; daughters Kimberly Parks (Demetrius) and Stephanie Imes (Lance); three granddaughters Tifphanie Darity, TriniQua Darity, and Ki’era Gash; four great-grandsons Kendal Grant-Little, Alexander McDay, Aiden Darity, and Israel Johnson; soon to be great-grandson Jonah and great-granddaughter Lyric; siblings sister Reverend Robbie J. Williams and brother Phillip Ashley; friend Arthur Hall; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services for Reverend James Robert Gash III will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 2pm at Brow n Temple CME Church located on 32 Phifer Street, Asheville, NC. Burial immediately following at Violet Hill Cemetery, 454 Hazel Mill Road in Asheville.  Viewing will be held from 11am - 7pm on Friday, May 14th at Avery’s Memorial Chapel, located on 542 Hendersonville Road in Asheville NC. Services will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

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