Sonny has played substitute roles in the 18th degree at the Reunions when a fill-in was needed. He has completed half of the Scottish Rite Master Craftsman Program.

James F. (Sonny) Ashford, 32°

EMINENT COMMANDER, COUNCIL OF KADOSH

Bro. James F. “Sonny” Ashford is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Fair Park High School in Shreveport and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Louisiana Lafayette, The Ragin Cajuns, and a Masters Degree in Human Relations from University of Oklahoma.

He was raised in Papillion Lodge #39 in 2010 and became a member of Scottish Rite and the Tangier Shrine the same year.  He is a member of the Tangier Pirate Club and the founder of the new Smokin Shriners Barbeque Club.

Sonny married his high school sweetheart, Olivia Smith. They have been married for 49 years and have a son and daughter and nine grandchildren.

His primary hobby is reading cook books and smoking barbeque.

He has served his community as a member of the Plattsmouth School Board for seven years and is the founder of the POPS (Providing Opportunities for Plattsmouth Students) Foundation and POPS Place, a latch-key program for before-and-after school support.  He spent 23 years in the USAF, as a Master navigator,  with over 3 years service in Southeast Asia

and worked with lead positions in B-52 Inertial NavigationSystems, Operational Testing lead for the B-1B and finally the consolidation of all testing for the Strategic Air Command.  After retirement he was employed in Business Development and Marketing positions with Software Engineering Services.