James Hedrick Ashley

JAMES HEDRICK ASHLEY; died on March 4, 2014; survived by his wife Leslie; sons Nick, Ben (Rachel) and Jordan; granddaughter Shannon; mother Sue; sister Edna; brothers Mike, Tom and Carl; and countless others whose lives he had a profound impact on through his kindness and generosity. He was preceded in death by his father Grady Ashley. Hedrick, (as he was known by most who knew him) was the type of man that made an impact in your life whether you had known him for 20 seconds or 20 years. He always made sure you knew exactly where you stood with him. If he didn't like something you did he was quick to let you know but he was even quicker to let you know when you had done well. Hedrick worked at General Motors for 24 years, was a H.O.G. member, Waterford Chapter, a member of the Patriot Riders, and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 - 1981. After his time in the Marines he came home to Michigan to marry the love of his life Leslie (though he never actually proposed), they had 40 years together and the kind of love for each other and their family that others only dream of. They had 3 sons, Nick, Ben, and Jordan and they raised them the best they knew how. Even though sometimes lessons had to be learned the hard way the boys never had to wonder if they were loved or if their parents were proud of them; they were told daily (sometimes to exhaustion). Hedrick also had a 6 year old granddaughter and if you ask her, he was the greatest Grampee in the world. He worked midnights so that he could spend as much time with her as possible. She would never let him skip their breakfast together when he got home in the morning or milk and cookies and a piggy back ride to bed before he left for work (not that he would have missed it for the world). He will be greatly missed by a great deal of people. He was the rock for so many to lean on. We will carry on, continue to live our lives as he would want us to, and continue to make him proud. We miss him more than words can say. If I turn out to be half the man that he was, I'd say I did alright. We love you, Dad; We'll see you again someday. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at SPARKS-GRIFFIN FUNERAL HOME, Lake Orion. Family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Inurnment (May 2014) Great Lakes National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Leslie Ashley for Shannon's Education Fund. Reflections may be shared with the family by visiting www.sparksgriffin.com