Harley "Bud" Leroy Ashlock

Harley, known to his friends and family as "Bud", was born in 1947 to Roy and Betty Ashlock, in Wichita, Kansas. He played baseball, rebuilt cars, and helped his father build and do repairs around the house. Instilled in him was a strong work ethic, as well as a fascination with how things worked and how they were made. Bud graduated from West High School in 1965. He was married one year later to Marsha Brown and together they had two children, Bud and Betty. Their marriage lasted 33 years.

Bud attended Wichita State University, then began his career at Cardwell’s Machine Shop. He started at ground level, literally pushing a broom while learning from the skilled machinists there. He worked his way up through the ranks in the Planning, Scheduling, Tool Design, and Manufacturing Engineering departments at Beechcraft and Cessna in Wichita and Boeing in Renton, Washington and Wichita. In the mid 1970’s, while working for Bell Helicopter in Amarillo, Texas, Bud was selected to go to Teheran, Iran, to help set up a large scale Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul facility. He and his family were there for one year. He moved his family to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1980, accepting a position as a Manufacturing Engineering Project Manager at LTV Aircraft Products. Bud became the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering at LTV Missiles and Electronics in 1985. By October of 1993, he was the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering at Vought Aircraft Company, supervising 168 Manufacturing Engineers, Production Engineers, and Tool Designers. He retired as the Director of Manufacturing Engineering for the entire Aircraft Division.

Bud was a man of integrity and a self starter. He believed in hard work, truth, love, and justice. He chose his friends wisely and truly appreciated and valued them throughout the years. Bud was an exceptional problem solver, teacher, and mentor, and he never hesitated to roll his sleeves up and get involved. As a member of the Management Club, he served as leader on many community projects, including the refurbishment of the Arlington Homeless Shelter and the playground facilities at Roark Elementary School in Arlington. In his off time, Bud enjoyed fast driving, restoring classic cars, shooting, and taking Jeeps off-road. He loved music and was an excellent dancer, and an avid and knowledgeable student of history. He was a dedicated Mason and a long time member of Sunflower Lodge, achieving the rank of a 32nd degree.

He is survived by his children, Bud Ashlock and Betty Ashlock; his sister, Nancy Young; nephews, Tim Young and Mark Young; nieces, Tema Travis and Amanda Ashlock; mother of his children, Marsha Ashlock; and all his friends and neighbors who were always there for him when he needed.

He is predeceased by his brother, Monte Ashlock; his parents Alvin L. “Roy” and Betty Ashlock; his grandparents, Jasper Harley and Sara Ashlock; and maternal grandmother, Loretta Spore.

Friends and neighbors are invited to join the family on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 10am, for his Memorial Service. It will be held at the Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home on 4216 South Bowen Road in Arlington, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable contribution to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moorebowenroad.com for the Ashlock family.