Local Hero succumbs to Brain Tumor

W. Jessee Ashby died of a brain tumor which he had been living with for 5 long years. Jesse was a member of Catawba Masons Cove Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad one of the volunteer companies which makes up the Roanoke County Fire-EMS Department. Through the years he held various ranks and administrative positions. Jessee was a friend, brother, and childhood friend of many firefighters in the area as well as some of Roanoke's Bravest. Jessee will always be remembered for his selfless volunteering and will join his fellow brothers and sisters in heaven. I did not know Jessee, however I have heard about him through the years. One instance I remember hearing about was when the community got together to raise money for Jessee to help him through his ordeal. There was a yard sale the other day to benefit Jessee Ashby in Salem. God Bless you Jessee.

To Jessee's wife and family - You should be proud of his legacy and the life he led. It takes a great man to be recognized in death by others who did not know him. Your loss is our loss, the community, the brotherhood, the fire service.

If you have something you would like to add about Jessee please post it below in the comments.

The Roanoke Times published his obituary. I have posted it below.

ASHBY, W. Jessee

W. Jessee Ashby, 27, of Roanoke went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, September 24, 2005 after a courageous battle with cancer of the brain. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William Jennings, Herman Jessee and Hazel Singleton Ashby and a cousin, Allara Reinhardt. Jessee was a proud member of the class of 1995 at Northside High School. While at Northside he was a member of the wrestling team. Jessee attended Virginia Western Community College for two years. He was an employee of Timber Truss beginning as a truck driver and more recently serving as Foreman of the Pick up and Go Sales Department. Jessee's greatest love was serving his community through the Catawba Masons Cove Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He joined the rescue squad in 1994 at age 16 and later became qualified in, EMT-2, Vehicle Extrication, Hazardous Materials, Search and Rescue and Ropes Rescue. He served as Treasurer, Captain, Chaplain and various other capacities until June of 2004. He also served in the Masons Cove Fire Department where he was qualified in Firefighter I, and II. Jessee was a member of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Kelly Ashby; Mom and Dad, Cathy and Earl Ashby; loving Brother, Andrew Ashby, all of Roanoke; half brother, Tony Ashby of Christiansburg; half sister, Crystal Ashby Fore of Tifton, Ga.; grandmother, Evelyn Jennings, of Roanoke; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and his K-9 companion, Missy. Jessee loved flowers and they will be appreciated or memorials may be made to the Catawba Masons Cove Fire Department and Rescue Squad P O Box 125 Catawba, Va. 24070 or to Parkway Wesleyan Church 3230 King Street Roanoke, Va. 24012. Funeral services will be conducted 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at Parkway Wesleyan Church by Dr. John Ott and Pastor Mike Lauridsen. The family will receive friends from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory 5160 Peters Creek Road, 366-0707.

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