The Rt. Rev. John F. Ashby, 72, retired Bishop of Western Kansas, died May 10 in Tulsa, Okla., where he had resided since his retirement. Bishop Ashby served in Western Kansas from 1981 until his retirement in 1995.

He was born in Tulsa and was educated at Oklahoma State University and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. In 1955 he was ordained deacon and priest in the Diocese of Oklahoma, then served in that diocese until his election in Western Kansas. He was vicar of St. Mark's, Hugo, and St. James', Antlers, in 1955, vicar of St. John's, Durant, and St. Peter's, Coalgate, 1955-59, and rector of St. Luke's, Ada, 1959-81. He was active in Oklahoma on the commission on ministry, standing committee and liturgical commission.

As bishop he was chair of the Province 7 commission on ministry, chair of the House of Bishops' commission on ministry, and a member of the executive committee of Coalition 14. In retirement he assisted the Bishop of Oklahoma with visitations. He also was a chaplain in the Oklahoma National Guard.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, daughters Ann Ghost