On Nov. 28, 2010, after suffering for three months from five strokes, Wesley Samuel Ashley, Jr., a.k.a. Sam, at age 72, went home to be with his Lord and Savior.  He was laid to rest on Dec. 3, 2010, at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo.

Sam was a loving, devoted husband to his wife Linda of Pacifica for 43 years, a wonderful father to four sons Mark of Red Bluff, Calif., Jason of Pacifica, Christopher of Charlotte, N.C., Ryan of San Mateo; grandfather to three grandchildren, Christopher's two children Austin, 12, Brianne, 11; Ryan's daughter Chloe, 3 1/2, and he and his wife Jeannell are expecting their second child in June 2011.  Sam also has a sister, Donna Skoufos, of South San Francisco.

Sam was born on Sept. 22, 1938 in Los Banos, Calif. where he lived with his parents and sister Donna.  They moved around a lot and in his teenage years he moved back to Los Banos and lived with his grandparents so he could attend Los Banos High School.  His grandfather was Chief of Police of Los Banos for many years and was a huge influence in his life.
 
In high school he excelled in track and football and received many awards in both.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1963 aboard the USS Midway and the USS Coral Sea.  In 1973, after several years of Bible College, he received his master's degree in theology from Pasadena Bible College in Pasadena, Calif. In 1973, Sam and his family moved from Pasadena to the Linda Mar area of Pacifica where they lived for 37 years and raised their four sons.

He worked with his father Wes in the family business., Ashley Painting, as a house painter for 15 years.  After his father's death in 1985 he got his painting contractor's license and took over the business for 25 years.  Ashley Painting has been in business for over 150 years and son Jason, who has worked beside his father for 18 years, will be carrying on Ashley Painting when he gets his painting contractor's license.

Sam loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him for 53 years and, up until his passing, he served as an Elder in the Coastside Community Church in Pacifica. Sam was known for his loving and caring nature.  He was a very kind and patient man.  he was loved by all who knew him, including his business associates.  He will be missed.
 

There will be a memorial/celebration of livfe  at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at Coastside Community Church, 1030 Linda Mar. Blvd.  All are welcome to attend.