Russell Ashley

June 21, 1949 - September 15, 2020

Russell Edward Ashley, 71 years of age, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Magnolia Estates in Lafayette, Louisiana. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Chestnut Hill Memorial Park in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He was a loving father and friend and will be dearly missed. Mr. Ashley, a resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Steven Ashley and the former Jim Etta Edgecomb. Born in Akron, Ohio and raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Russell was a jovial boy always looking for an adventure. He was a martial arts enthusiast and avid nature lover, whether it be canoeing the many lakes of Florida, hiking the mountains of Arizona, or gazing at the stars from the gorges of Ohio. He proudly served our great country as a sergeant in the Armed Forces of the United States and was called to active duty during the Persian Gulf War. Along with being a music and history buff, Russell’s broad interests included animal activism, geology, poetry and engaging in deep conversations. Those left to cherish his memory include his four children: Kara Lynn Ashley, James Michael Ashley, Teri Lee Ashley and Sevie Krista Ashley Zeller (Steven); twelve grandchildren: Jake, Michael, Catie, Richard, Alex, Jordan, Brice, Ashley, Tyler, Grayson, Kiah and AnÍ; three great-grandchildren: Savannah, Mason and Wyatt; beloved cousins including Connie Speelman; and lifelong best friend Kraig Short. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Catherine Edgecomb; parents, Steven and Jim Etta; uncle, Clarence Edgecomb (Boots) of Hudson, Fla.; and adored aunt, Patricia Speelman (Merle) of Cuyahoga Falls. Personal condolences may be sent to the Ashley/Zeller families at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. The family suggests memorials be sent in Russell’s honor to Bridgeway Healthcare and Hospice (2014 W. Pinhook Dr., Suite 604, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508) at https://www.bridgewayhospice.net/donate. Personal condolences may be sent to the Ashley Family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.