May 12, 1927 --- July 25, 2010

Herman V Ashdown went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday July 25, 2010 with his wife, Betty at his bedside at the Mennonite Village Rest Home.

He was born to John and Lena Ashdown in Temecula, CA on May 12, 1927. He was the oldest of 3 children.

The family moved to Biggs, CA when he was 7 years old and he attended the schools there.

He was a farmer and a dairyman with his father until he joined the army in 1946 and served as a Staff Sergeant in Japan for 10 months and then returned to Camp Beale, CA where he was formally trained and received his honorable discharge after serving for 18 months in 1947.

After he returned home he started attending church and gave is heart to the Lord and served him until his death. He attended church and served in several capacities as a member.

He moved with his parents to Arcata, CA in 1950 and worked in the plywood mill. In 1952 he went back to Biggs to get his bride, Betty Berry, and they married June 28, 1952. He carried his new bride over the threshold of the new house that he had built for them. They also resided in Gardena, and Anaheim, CA for a few years where he worked as a carpenter. They then moved to Citrus Heights, CA in 1960 where they raised their two sons, James and Eugene. They lived in the same home for 46 years before moving to Albany, OR in 2005.

He retired in 1989 and received his 50 year pin from the Roseville Carpenter's Union. After retiring he and his wife Betty spent lots of time traveling and have traveled over half of the USA, Canada and Mexico. They went on cruises to Alaska and Mexico and spent their 25th anniversary in Hawaii and 50th anniversary in Alaska.

Herman always loved the outdoors. He loved working, gardening, hunting, fishing, camping, attending church, and entertaining in the home. He taught his two sons to appreciate the beauty of nature. His friends knew him as a warmhearted, loving man who always gave and helped others. He and his wife Betty have attended First Assembly of God Church in Albany since moving here.

He is survived by his wife Betty of 58 years. sons, James and wife Shelly Ashdown of Cedar Hill, TX, Eugene, wife Susan and their daughter Audrey Ashdown of Davis, CA. Brother Gordon and wife Lurine Ashdown of San Rafael, CA,; sister, Gladys McMahan of Carrolton, TX ; and several nieces and nephews, as well as five children, now adults, that Betty babysat when they were babies who call him their Grandpa. All dearly love and adore him.

A Memorial will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 2:00pm, with a reception to follow at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home, 805 Ellsworth St. SW, Albany.

At Herman's request please no flowers. Remembrances may be made to the Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862