Gary Allen Ashburn

Mr. Rogers once said, "Taking care is one way to show your love. Another way is letting people take good care of you when you need it."

Gary Allen Ashburn spent a lifetime cultivating a friendly, kind persona, and in the end he lovingly allowed his family to care for him. Gary adored his family…Mom (Norma Whiddon), Dad (T.J. Ashburn), and Step-Dad (John Whiddon), his siblings (Cindy, Dennis, and Stanley Whiddon, Linda Jo Davis, Robert, Sharon, and Karen Ashburn, Namon, Gary, Lamar, Marilyn, and Nellie Spears and their spouses and children), as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

When Gary married the love of his life, Joyce Metcalf Ashburn, 54 years ago, he was blessed with a second family… Papa (Herman Metcalf), Granny (Margaret Metcalf) and siblings (Ronnie, Leon, Margaret, Brenda, Janie, Cindy, and Monty Metcalf, and Rusty Henderson and their spouses and children). Later, he had his own family… daughter Jennifer (husband John) and grandchildren Jayden and Jonas Castineira.

Gary was a hard-working railroad man for 25 years, but he loved to have fun every chance he got. Spending time with family while playing games, fishing, swimming, and traveling was his top priority. "Just don't take me to a museum," Gary would say. He was a master tinker and inventor whose love language was acts of service. Gary was the primary caretaker for both Granny and Papa Metcalf in their final months, and he took his Mama Norma to church every Sunday after she became ill. Gary would sing to the residents of Eden Springs, volunteer at the First Baptist Church clothes closet, and teach his wife's students to play chess. Every winter for many years, Gary would cut firewood for the entire neighborhood. If you needed something fixed, a snake relocated, or a ride when your car broke down, you could count on Gary to be there in a flash.

Gary never met a person he couldn't charm and earned the nickname "HeHe" because he loved to laugh. Though he was not perfect, Gary Allen Ashburn made the world a better place, and he was dearly loved and will surely be missed.

All services will be held at Ivan Assembly of God Church (202 Ivan Church Road) on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Visitation will be at 10am with service to follow at 11am. Interment will be at Panacea Community Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Young Family Funeral Home at Harvey Young Chapel.