Obituary of Richard Lynn Ashford

Passed on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at age 86.

Richard Lynn Ashford, affectionately known as “Dickie”, was born on March 18, 1936 to William L. Ashford and Marie Perry-Ashford in Rochester, NY. He departed this earth on December 6, 2022. Dickie was a bold and imposing man who also was a father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle and a great, devoted friend. To know him was to love him and laugh with him often.

In his early years he enjoyed a brief stay with his grandparents in Mississippi. He loved being able to spy on family elders and then share stories of what he lived and learned. He viewed himself as a southern spirit, telling about feeding animals, riding a mule, and finding out a bunch of family secrets. Many of us have heard about Grandpa Jesse’s moonshine and how he played the fiddle. His rich experiences in the south were deeply embedded in his personality.

Dickie returned to the north when he was a pre-teen, and although rambunctious, he was also very compassionate and even timid at times. He was still able to find ways to make money, along with his brothers, so they could contribute to their household, where he was the 2nd of 12 children.

He was educated through the Rochester Public School System and graduated from Madison High School. Being a determined young man who was very cunning, he joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 15 and was stationed in Alaska. Dickie returned to New York as a married man, having found his beautiful, Betty Barnett, and from that union two sons were born, Darryl and Richard. Their marriage lasted 20 years. Dicki later remarried and moved to North Carolina where he owned and operated a used car lot.

Dickie loved his family. He was protective and worked in the security field when he returned home to Rochester, NY. He enjoyed new friends at his current residence, as well as, old friends, that he played cards with and would have a sip of something, off of Jefferson Avenue, until he became ill in recent years. He and 2 of his brothers… Billy and John were referred to as “The 3 Amigos” and John has lovingly cared for his brother for the past 5 years, until Dickie transitioned to his heavenly home. Dickie would regularly make visits to his great-niece Shantel (whom he was particularly close with), and her children and ohhhh the stories and shenanigans he, Shan and Lindsey would get into. LOL

Richard is preceded in death by his father, William Ashford, and his mom, Marie Ashford; as well as two of his 3 sons: Teddy, and Darryl; his brothers Fleming (Billy), Nathaniel (Nate), Charles (Chucky) and Robin and 1 sister Rose Marie.

He leaves to cherish his memory, Richard “Dickie” leaves his son Richard; 6 siblings, brothers, John Ashford, Sr., Albert & Alfred Ashford, and Robert Ashford; sisters Nancy (Frank) Graham, and Odette Griffin; dear friend Kenny Stevens; 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and devoted friends.