Obituary of Ron Wiley Ashford

Ron Wiley Ashford, 74, husband for 44 years to Cindy Blake Ashford, father to Carrie Stewart, Chrissy Ashford and Stephanie Morris, father-in-law to Jason Stewart and Jim Morris, and Pop to Christopher, Taylor, Taryn and Carter Ashford, Lynsey and Loren Stewart, Tyler, Justin, Johnathan and Lauren Morris. Ron passed away at his home in Lexington, surrounded by family and friends who loved and cared for him.

Ron was born to Forrest “Doc” Ashford and Nell Wiley Ashford in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on May 28, 1947. He was raised on and worked on the family farm in Mercer County and was always surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins, all who loved him dearly. He is survived by his sister, Debbie Ashford Klausing and her husband, Bruce Klausing, of Louisville, Ky. He was preceded in death by both parents and his brother, Mark Carter Ashford, and Mark’s son Michael Wayne Clark.

Ron joined the United States Air Force in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1970. Ron spent his professional career in sales starting at Freeman & Ison in Harrodsburg, then Dawahare’s in Lexington and finally worked as a traveling salesman for more than 30 years. He made lasting friendships with his clients and fellow salesmen that lasted his entire life.

Ron spent his “retirement” years working at Keeneland and was a constant fixture at his grandchildren’s sporting events. Family was everything to Ron and Ron was everything to his family.

Ron was the ultimate prankster. He sent silly and obnoxious birthday cards from all over the country to family and friends and got the biggest kick out of the reactions of his “victims.”

Ron was a gruff, opinionated man who could turn into a teddy bear when any of his loved ones needed support. He took care of EVERYONE who needed him. He possessed the greatest intuition and would call his friends and family at just the right time to provide love, guidance and support.

Ron was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma on October 30, 2021. 34 days later, he was gone. His fight was brief, but devastating to all who loved him. It was our privilege to be with him in his final days so that we could take care of the man who took care of all of us his entire life. The sadness of this loss is difficult to explain, but we are all glad he didn’t suffer any longer than necessary. He passed knowing the love and support of everyone he cared about and that is the ultimate gift we could give him.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the Lexington Humane Society.  A celebration of his life will be on December 16, from 4-6:00p.m. at Clark Legacy Center in Brannon Crossing.