Ash, Dean James

Dean James Ash of Radford, Virginia, died in his home, surrounded by his wife and children, on May 31, 2023, at the age of 63. Dean was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in February of this year and passed from the aggressive, rapidly-metastasizing disease.

Dean is survived by his wife, Jocelyn Ash; his children, Paige Ash, Parker Ash, and Brittany Ash Howell (Jeffrey Howell); his grandchildren, Hazel, Violet, Penny and Eliza; and his brothers, Glenn Ash and Paul Ash. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Carmen and Bill Ash and grandparents; Carmen and Ralph Dalia, William Ash, and Era Cortez (Corky) Oxendale.

Dean was born in Phoenix, Arizona and resided in Scottsdale and Tuscon until 1977 when he and his family moved to Billings, Montana where he graduated high school. Dean attended University of Oregon and later graduated from Kutztown University. He met his wife, Jocelyn while residing in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. They married in Allentown, Pennsylvania on August 31, 1985.

Dean was a loving, loyal and devoted husband, father and grandfather. His granddaughters adored him. He was silly, playful and nurturing. To his children he was always just “one call away” and “there to save the day” as the lyrics, in the song he picked for the father-daughter dance at his daughter’s wedding, beautifully say. He spent 37 years building a loving family with his wife, Jocelyn, whom he adored and would move mountains to make smile. Dean preferred to spend his free time in service to others, whether he was teaching Sunday School, helping his son-in-law build a garden enclosure, or bringing his granddaughters Valentine gifts when they were sick.

Dean was career-driven, ambitious and passionate about making connections. He enjoyed facing challenges in the world of food sales while working for companies such as Dole, Kelloggs, Campbells, and Hersheys. His work brought him to reside in Roanoke, Charlotte, Blacksburg, Denver, then Tampa. Upon the arrival of his first grandchild, Dean and Jocelyn returned to the place where he, his wife and children, have always felt most at home and connected to community in the New River Valley area of Virginia. There, he embraced a new career opportunity in Real Estate. He was welcomed and supported by those who would become like family to him at Coldwell Banker Realtors’ Blacksburg branch.

It is most appropriate that Dean’s service of remembrance take place here in Blacksburg, where Dean accomplished most of his best work: developing and cultivating loving relationships with his wife, children, grandchildren and wonderful friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 6:00pm on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg. A Memorial Service will follow at 6:00pm.