Horace Gene Askew

HORACE GENE ASKEW was born on June 10, 1958 in Winsdor, North Carolina to Caroline Askew Thunder and Harry Lee Rascoe. Caroline and Horace came to New York at an early age and he began attending public school I.S 55 in Brooklyn, NY. Horace then went on to attend and graduate from South Shore High School. Shortly after graduating high school, Horace went on to follow his heart and joined the U.S Army in 1978. Shortly after joining the Army, Horace was promoted to the ranking of Sergeant. While in the Army, Horace took on a variety of different jobs but by far, his favorite was serving as a medic. Horace received the worthy ranking of Specialist E-4. Some of the honors Horace earned while in the Army include the Good Conduct Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Ribbon with numeral 2 and a Marskmen Badge with Auto Rifle Bar. Horace always loved being of service to others. He was honorably discharged from the Army in March 1984 but his love for serving his country didn’t end there. In fact, shortly after being discharged, Horace joined the Reserves. Once discharged from the Army, Horace’s career serving others continued in New York City where he began working for the New York City Transit Authority which is also where he eventually retired. Horace’s career was just one part of his life. Another big part of Horace’s was his devotion to God. Horace was a faithful member of the Triumphant Holy Anointing Lighthouse and a dedicated and talented member of the Men’s Choir. In his spare time, Horace enjoyed photography, music and travelling. In addition to the travelling Horace did while in the Army, God also allowed Horace to leisurely travel to the Caribbean and eventually to Israel. He always had a tune in his heart to lift anyone’s spirit and a saying to go with it. On any given day, you could hear Horace saying “I could be right sometimes”. He lived a full and joyful life. Horace was very loved and leaves to honor his memory: his loving wife, Clarice Frederick Askew, his beloved mother Caroline Askew Thunder and devoted father Harry Lee Rascoe, his much loved children: Laquanna Askew, Lakindra Askew, Lisa Askew and Elijah Askew. His step children: Toya Leak, Cleven (Quan) Frederick Jr. and son in law Leonard Leak. Also honoring Horace’s legacy are his close siblings Evelyn Askew, Michael Robbins, Harry Rascoe Jr., Roland (Ronny)Womble, and very close brother and fellow Army native Sergent Major Alvin Hughes Sr. His sister in laws Janice Carter, Alberta Isler, Naomi Isler and Michelle Isler, accompanied by his brother in laws, Bill Carter Clarence Isler, Michael Isler and Walter Crayton. Also remembering Horace fondly is his dear aunt Mamie Askew, supportive Uncle Edward Hines and a close cousin and even dearer friend, Dorothy (Dot) Askew. Horace had a big family who loved him which included a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Horace is also fondly remembered and so very loved by his 9 grandchildren.

Horace Gene Askew

June 10, 1958 - December 11, 2015