Jay-D. Ornsby-Adkins

Ione, CA

December 9, 1985 - April 28, 2007

Private First Class Jay-D Ornsby-Adkins, U.S. Army, 21 of Ione, CA, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2007, while serving his country in Iraq. He is believed to be the first Amador County service man killed in the Iraq campaign. Born in Perth, Western Australia on December 9, 1985, Jay-D attended Ione Elementary School and graduated class of 2005 from Independence High School. Proudly, he pursued a career in the U.S. Army and graduated from basic training on December 8, 2006 at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He was assigned to the Delta Company 1-15th Infantry unit at Ft. Benning, Georgia where he continued to train, advance his skills and prepare for combat. He earned the expert badge for grenade, sharp shooter rifle and marks man in pistol. Most notable, Jay-D was remembered for his friendship and kind smile. On December 17, 2006, he married his high school sweetheart, Ashley Hudson. Jay-D and Ashley resided at Ft. Benning, Georgia. On March 9, 2007 Jay-D was deployed to Iraq as a member of the company D 1-15th Infantry. While on patrol, PFC Ornsby-Adkins and three other members of his unit died in combat.

Jay-D is survived by his wife, Ashley Ornsby-Adkins of Ione; his mother, Robyn Ornsby also of Ione; his father, Shad Adkins and step-mother, Sandy of Bullsbrook, Western Australia; step-sister, Morgan Inczewski of Ione; grandparents, Bill and Marcia Ornsby of Woodbridge, Western Australia, Dick and Kathern Adkins of Bullsbrook, Western Australia; half-brothers, Matt and Todd Adkins of Bullsbrook, Western Australia; Aunt Kerrie Miller and cousin Jordan Miller of Wilton; uncle, Dave Miller of Lincoln; aunt, Debbie and uncle, Darryl Mateljan of Hearne Hill, Western Australia; cousins, Dale and Dannielle Mateljan also of Hearne Hill, Western Australia.

Funeral services with military honors will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene on 14050 Ridge Road. Additional parking will be provided at the Church of Latter Day Saints, 15683 Ridge Road in Sutter Creek, where Jackson Rancheria busses will begin transporting guests from the parking lot to the Funeral Service at 9:00 a.m.

Interment will be at Sunset View Cemetery in Jackson followed by a reception at the Evelyn Bishop Hall in Ione. Condolences may be offered via e-mail to the family at danerimortuary@sbcglobal.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Daneri Mortuary in Jackson, FD 1636, Ph. 209-223-0793.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to the Jay-D Ornsby Memorial Fund c/o Golden One Credit Union, Ione branch.