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Kenneth “Kenny” Ray Ashby, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, in his home.

He was born in Russellville in 1942, a son of the late Thelma Murphy (Jones) and Novis “Jack” Ashby.

Mr. Ashby served seven years in the United States Army and was later employed as a civilian MCMC, ship supervisor, and coordinator for shipboard operations at Honeywell Technology Services, a government contractor for the United States Marine Corps’ Maritime Prepositioned Forces, Blount Island, Fla. He lived and worked aboard many MPF ships deployed globally, had a keen wit, gregarious personality, brilliant smile, and lived his life his way; but after a long illness, Kenny succumbed to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Lannie Road in Jacksonville, Fla. Private services will be held at a later date in his hometown. Oxley – Heard Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon (Sherry) Younkers of Amelia Island (formerly of Rockville, Md.); his daughter, Angela (Gary) Richardson of Batesville, Ariz.; his son Brian Kyle (Sherri) Reed of Fairfield, Ohio; his grandson, Brian Kyle Jr.; his granddaughter, Kali Joyce Richardson; his brother, Glenn (Betty Lou) Ashby of Lewisburg, Ky., and many other family members, friends, and his rescue companions Boo, Lucky O’Brien, and Roxy, his loyal lapdog to the end.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Kenny’s life to the Nassau Humane Society, P.O. Box 16090, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.