Alan John Ashley

Alan John Ashley, revered husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away early morning on Thursday, December 28, 2023. A full-hearted, hardworking, and headstrong man, he did so on his terms—quietly, bravely, and with what I can only imagine was a soul considerably at peace and full of love for friends and family here and those he is surely with now. Alan was born in Burlington, Vermont on November 7, 1942 as the second child in a family of boys. As a child, his family escaped the cold to make Jacksonville, Florida their home. He was unashamedly himself in all respects, with much of who he was as a man borne of his childhood interests. He used to chase birds around the yard of his home—a hobby that eventually led to his being named (by himself) as Southwest Georgia’s greatest birdwatching athlete. His competitive brothers, Garth, Dwayne, Kim, and Keith, contributed to his lifelong love of sports. He fiercely dedicated that love to the Braves, Bulldogs, and the youth and college teams of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Alan met Peggy in Jacksonville. They have since been married for 57 years, standing as a powerful testament to true love and the devotion that two people can and should have for one another. From his early days of anxiously waiting for Peggy to get out of nursing school for the day, to a late evening dance they shared in the kitchen on the eve of their fiftieth anniversary, Alan remained committed to the type of storybook romance that reminds the rest of us that real happiness is something that is found most abundantly in the arms of the person you love. They had four children, Paula, Christine, Scott, and John. Alan was as committed a father as he was a husband, believing deeply in the importance of involved parenthood and being a strong father figure in the lives of his children. He encouraged his kids to pursue knowledge, experience, athleticism, and a love of family. Alan was always the best thing a father and a husband can be— enthusiastically present and deeply proud. His commitment to family was infectious, making him the pillar of a large, close, and loving family of four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Every person in his life knows him well, has their own stories to share about him, and maintains a vast network of treasured memories of him—a testament to the care he took to be an immeasurable part of his extended family. Alan retired after serving in the United States Navy and as a contractor at the Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base. Unwilling to slow down, he hit his stride in life post-retirement. He traveled the world to visit family and search for birds to check off his carefully maintained life list. He was a loved and active member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, The Albany Audubon Society, and the YMCA, as well as a frequent volunteer at the Flint Riverquarium aviary. He could be found, more often than not, down a muddy road in a backwoods wildlife refuge checking on Prothonotary warbler houses or calling out for owls. Many of his movements could be timed by the spring and fall migration, and he seldom missed an opportunity to share his love for the outdoors with anyone. Alan was a man who rarely took himself seriously. Most people might know him better for his quirks than anything else. If you were lucky enough to come over for dinner, you may have seen his collection of self-preserved bird skins which he enjoyed proudly displaying for unsuspecting guests at the dinner table. He spoke his own language—an amalgamation of French, gibberish, and lines from nonsensical poems he memorized. Sarcasm and wit were his love languages, and even those who knew him best often couldn’t tell if he was serious or not unless he expressed his sincerity with the ever important, “Incum dinkum.” Alan was surely either the funniest or the most uncomfortable stranger you could ever meet on the birding trail or at the local Krispy Kreme. Most importantly, if you did meet him, he would be sure to remember your name and make you feel like you were the best of friends the next time he ran into you. Alan’s passing leaves behind a monumental legacy of love, laughter, and goodwill in the hearts of more people than even he could ever imagine. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, their four children, and his brothers, Dwayne, Kim, and Kieth, who are forever grateful for the example he set of faith, fatherhood, marriage, and commitment to the people he loved. For those who would like to pay their respects, a Wake Service for Alan will be held on Monday, January 1st at 6:00 p.m. at Kimbrell-Stern in Albany Georgia, and a funeral Mass will be held at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 2nd at 11:00 a.m. An interment service will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL on Thursday, January 4th at 11:00 a.m.

Alan John Ashley

November 7, 1942 - December 28, 2023