Fred Andrew Ashby, age 83, passed away at his home in Clinton, Missouri on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

Fred Ashby was born February 18, 1938 in Archie, Mo. to Andrew and Neola Ashby. Fred was known for his love of the outdoors including boating on Truman Lake, hunting and fishing, observing wildlife and his great sense of humor.

He was also known as a hard worker, and said he was never out of a job because "jobs found him". In his youth he earned money baling hay, shucking corn, and worked in the pre-dawn hours rolling, wrapping and delivering Sunday papers on rural routes by car.

In high school he worked for an eyeglass lens plant in Butler, worked replacing railroad ties, worked as a bakers assistant, and as a golf caddie. As a caddie he learned to play golf and won a caddie tournament and won a set of golf clubs. He often was asked to caddie for golfers going to tournaments out of town.

Fred also loved music. He won an amateur contest in high school playing the "horse ribs bones" which for the unfamiliar is an improvised percussion instrument. He said he could play anything- spoons, knives or even bumper jacks.

At age 17 he joined the Navy and spent four years "topside" steering a ship, 4 hour shifts. His first assignment was in the Atlantic, then the Mediterranean, which he preferred by far and was able to visit many beautiful ports.

After completing 4 years of Navy service he married Margaret Chapman and they had 2 daughters. He went on to work in a variety of settings. Gas station attendant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ford assembly plant, Lake City Ammunition plant, and laying ceramic tile often on weekends.

His final career stop was working in the maintenance department at Golden Valley Hospital "from the ground up" as he was there when it was being built. At first on a cash basis out of the administrator's pocket as everything was brand new. He retired after 28 years.

He enjoyed a retirement filled with his favorite outdoor activities and time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donnie, and sisters Arteela and Linda.

He is survived by his two daughters Seagayl (Ashby) Henderson and Pamela (Ashby) Gardner, and grandchildren Andrea Henderson, Breanna Henderson and Elizabeth and Kellen Naughton; and Mariya Gardner, Shawn Gardner, and Darrek and Emma Gardner, and granddaughter Cail Gardner, nieces and nephews, and special friend Jane Greer.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.