Mr. Adrian Aaron Ashley

On September 23, 2023, Adrian Aaron Ashley, LTC, USA (Ret), died peacefully and among his loved ones in Ashburn, Virginia of progressive, malignant cancer. He was 84 years young. In his last days, he was visited and cherished by his family.

Adrian is survived by his daughters, Dana Szczesniak (John) of Aldie, VA, and Julie Conway (Brian) of Centreville, VA; 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and sister Donna Stone (Tom). He also is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ann Young Ashley and parents, A A “Ott” Ashley and Rosie Ashley Castleberry, and sister Mozelle Ashley Hackney.

Adrian was born in Rotan, Texas on April 21, 1939. He moved with his family to Abilene as a small child where he lived and graduated from Abilene High School in 1957. He went on to attend Hardin-Simmons University earning a degree in English in 1961. There he participated in the ROTC program, which led him to join the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduation. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Education from USC while living abroad.

Adrian married Mary Ann Young in 1961 after meeting at Hardin-Simmons his senior year. They courted, got engaged and married within a brief 9-month period. They quickly started their world-wide adventure of military life which spanned for 24 years until he retired in 1985. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany; Saigon, Vietnam; Athens, Greece and Tehran, Iran, as well as many assignments in the US, before finally settling in Northern Virginia. They welcomed 1st daughter, Dana, while stationed in Ft Sill, Oklahoma, and 2nd daughter, Julie at Ft Bragg, NC.

After retirement from the Army, Adrian continued his career with EDS and Oracle, as well as maintaining his Real Estate license, which he remained active in until his last year. He made many friends in his travels and careers. He and Mary Ann also bought a second home in the Outer Banks, NC where they spent time together and with family and friends. He was a member of Ravensworth Baptist Church for more than 50 years, serving as Deacon and many other roles in the church. Adrian will be remembered for his kind and generous nature, as well as his never-ending positive attitude. He never met a stranger, and believed everyone deserved a second chance. He proudly became the Patriarch of his family, which continues to grow. Many of his grandchildren’s friends even called him Papa. He will be missed by many.

A memorial service for Adrian is scheduled for October 1, 2023 at 3 PM at Ravensworth Baptist Church. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall immediately afterwards. LTC Adrian Ashley will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date with full military honors. If your heart leads you, donations can be made in Adrian’s honor to Capitol Caring Hospice https://capitalcaring.funraise.org , or to Ravensworth Baptist Church.