Jane DeLay Askey

Jane DeLay Askey, 66, resident of Sheepneck Road in the Culleoka Community, died Sunday, August 14, 2011 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Roy DeLay and Ethel Elrod McDonald DeLay. She was a graduate of Morrisville High School in Morrisville, Pennsylvania and a licensed beautician. For a number of years, she managed Harry's Auto Body in Ewing, New Jersey. At age fourteen, she married Harry Askey, a young and daring student pilot. Their lives were destined to be centered on aviation. They learned the auto business from Harry's father, "Charlie Carter," a famed boxer and racer. Jane often found herself managing their business while Harry mentored young aviation enthusiasts training at Twin Pines Airport in Pennington, New Jersey. On weekends, Jane cooked out, not only for the young civil air-patrol cadets, but also for the local EAA Club. She took great pleasure in watching the young cadets march around the airfield and ride with Harry in a BT-17 Stearman, bi-plane, "stars and bars," or a red one. Jane and Harry started a side business, "Red Baron Rides," using their restored, World War II bi-planes. Jane attended aviation ground school to further her love of aviation. Their business followed air shows from Long Island to Florida. While Harry was taking care of this business, Jane managed the auto business keeping the fires burning at home. She later worked for General Motors Corporation and eventually relocated to Maury County, Tennessee at the new Saturn Plant. Three years later, they purchased a farm near Culleoka and built the dream of their lives, their own private air strip. They remained active in promoting aviation, flying their bi-plane at local air shows and giving kids free rides. Jane enjoyed their farm watching wildlife and flower gardening. She was always there for Harry and helped to inspire young pilots many of whom went on to make significant contributions to aviation, including several fighter pilots. Days of watching Harry fly had become rare, but one thing never faded, her love for Harry and aviation. Survivors include her husband, Harry Frank Askey; daughters, Kellee (Keith) Bryant of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, Jill Delay (Theodore) Carlisi of Wellsburg, New York; son, Charlie Carter (Cathy) Askey of Robling, New Jersey; grandchildren, Kenneth Bryant, Brad Bryant, and Kaitlyn Bryant. The family suggests memorials to Mooresville Baptist Church, 1053 Bryant Cemetery Road, Lewisburg, TN 37091-6800. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.