Thomas Luster Askew, 88, of Greenwood, Mississippi, died Saturday, July 2, 2016 at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on November 4, 1927. He graduated from Edwards High School and received a football and basketball scholarship to Hinds Junior College where he was a member of the undefeated 1945 football team. He proudly served his country for the next two years in the United States Navy before earning a degree in Business Administration in 1950 from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss he was a member and chaplain of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Mr. Askew received a Master of Science degree in Hospital Administration from Northwestern University in 1953. He was elected to the American College of Hospital Administrators in 1956 and was given the distinction of a Fellowship in 1961. From 1957 to 1963, Mr. Askew was Administrator of the Kings Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Administrator of the Martha Coker Convalescent Home and creator of the volunteer hospital auxiliary. It was there that he met and married the former Daisye Love Rainer.

In 1963, he became Administrator of the Greenwood Leflore Hospital where he faithfully served 30 years until his retirement in 1993.

Mr. Askew was chosen Mississippi's Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1960, served as President of both the Yazoo City and Greenwood Lions Club, and was also the Mississippi Affiliates President of the American College of Hospital Administrators. He was elected President of the Mississippi Hospital Association in 1972, President of the Quarter Century Executive Forum in 1983 and was presented an honorary membership into the association in 1994.

Mr. Askew is a former deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the American Legion, achieving a ten year perfect attendance record.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Knox and Alline Askew; his son, Frank Askew; and his brother, Sidney Knox Askew, Jr.

Mr. Askew is survived by his wife of 58 years, Daisye Love Askew; his son, Thomas Luster Askew, Jr. of Ridgeland; his daughter, Frances Alline Askew of Ridgeland; and his cherished first cousin, Aden Coleman Pryor. The family would like to especially thank his loving caregivers Mildred Jones Butts, Angela Jones and Linda Summerville.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Calhoun, Tommy Hargrove, Randy Clark, Rob Spiller, Chip Ford, Eddie Flowers, John Stewart and Larry Crawford. Honorary pallbearers are Ellett Lawrence, Quinton Perry, Mickey Black, Charlie Peel, Rocky Powers, Bobby Olmsted, Bob Fortenberry, Fraiser Shipley, Tommy Lindsey, Ray Mattox, Mark Hutson, Jim Crutcher, Frank Warren, Bob Cato and Dr. Henry Flautt.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Wilson and Knight Funeral Home and 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, followed by the service at 11 am. Dr. Rusty Douglas and Reverend Steve Fortenberry will officiate. A family interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Glenwood Cemetery, Yazoo City. Military rites will be performed by the American Legion Post 29.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Palmer Home or Humane Shelter of Leflore County. Wilson and Knight is in charge.