Lawrence "Larry" Ashby, 78 of Hemet, CA passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2017. He was born on Sunday, October 2, 1938 in Oglesby, TX to Barney and Dacie Ashby. Larry is survived by his devoted wife, Anita Ashby; two children, Larry Ashby and Lynn Ashby-Wiley; their spouses Joy Ashby & Brad Mundwiler; eight grandchildren, David Wiley,(spouse Kristen Wiley), Jacob Wiley, Aaron Ashby, Jordan Ashby, Jared Waymire, and Kaylin Waymire, Doug Mundwiler, David Mundwiler; four great grandchildren, Benjamin Wiley, Adalyn Waymire, Callie Waymire and Emma Mundwiler, and four nephews, Ben Williams, David Williams, Donnie Williams, and Alan Peal. Larry was preceded in death by his Parents and two sisters, Wilma Williams and Becky Peal.

Larry grew up in Texas and joined the Navy at age 18 and served as a fireman for 4 years on the USS Hornet out of Long Beach, Ca where he met Anita at a local skating rink. After dating for 1 year they married in May of 1962. After being honorably discharged he started his 32 year career at General Telephone Co. (GTE) and retired in 1992. Their first child Larry was born in 1963 and Lynn in 1964. He moved the family to Hemet in 1968 & he & Anita opened Kiddie Korner's Preschool. He was a past Master of the Hemet Lodge #615 F&AM, and attained level as a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite. Larry had a passion for working with kids and little league baseball, and coached many players over the years. Larry & Anita moved to Colorado in 1992, and then to Texas in 1995 where he & Anita became graduates of the Citizen Sheriff Academy and served for 3 years. In 2015 they returned home to Hemet, Ca to continue to fulfill the " legend of Tahquitz Peak" and became a member of the American Legion Post 848. Larry loved the Lord and was fully confident that he would spend eternity with him.

A memorial service will be held at Miller-Jones Mortuary, located at 1501 W Florida Ave. in Hemet on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 4 PM. Reception immediately following at same location. Interment will take place privately at Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to the Ramona Animal Shelter.