James L. Ashburn (Jimmy), 68, passed away on August 23rd at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. He was born on October 12, 1944, in Yadkin County to Ms. Dottie C. Ashburn and Edgar W. Ashburn.

He is survived by a son, Brian K. Ashburn (Jenny) and granddaughter Ellie of Woodstock Ga., a brother Tony Ashburn of Cary NC, several nephews and nieces whom he was especially fond of. He is also survived by a previous wife, Jo Ashburn of Woodstock Ga.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Dottie Ashburn; brothers, Harold, Cleavo, Kent, and Bruce Ashburn. Jimmy graduated from West Yadkin HS and entered the Military (Army) in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1968. He served in Vietnam and Panama Canal Zone plus several locations in the US. His last assignment was to escort deceased personnel killed in Vietnam to their families.

He worked for Bellsouth in Atlanta, GA from 1970 taking early retirement in 1991 when he moved from Atlanta back to North Carolina. He then worked between North Carolina and Atlanta, GA for General Electric, US South Communications, and Concord Telephone Company. He attended Forsyth Tech., Georgia State Univ., and Dekalb Community College. He was a member of Toast Master, International Management Council, Moose Lodge, American Legion, and the Telephone Pioneers.

A memorial service honoring Jimmy's life will be held at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville NC on Saturday August 31st at 11:00 am with full military honors provided by Yadkin VFW Post 10346.

The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd Statesville, NC 28625.

Online condolences may be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com.

Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Ashburn family.