Dr. Roger Ashford

Have you ever met someone that was pure light? Someone that always made you smile with the glimmer in their eye or with a mischievous grin? Our clan sadly lost that ray of light on Thursday, January 28, 2021, when Dr. Roger Wiklund Ashford, 68, went to be with the Lord.

Roger was a kindhearted, good man who loved people. He was a fantastic wordsmith and could spot a misplaced modifier from the other side of the room, while watching a Carolina ball game. The consummate “cool Uncle”, he was intrinsically funny, loved a secret handshake, adored golden retrievers, assigned nicknames to everyone and everything he encountered, and relished his time singing four part harmony in a quartet. Quite frequently he combined wit, humor, and musical prowess to create hilarious jingles about people, politics, or anything else that caught his fancy. He kept his friends and family in stitches with his antics and he will be remembered often and fondly with memories of those jingles, among many other things. One thing is for certain… he was a joy to be around. He could make you laugh in an instant but never had a cross word to say.

Roger was a true lover of literature and valued education at all levels, helping to imbue that to thousands of others. He was a lifelong “Tar Heel”, graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in 1974. He went on to receive his masters and doctorate in school administration from UNC-Charlotte. Although his work was published in professional and academic journals, he was at heart a humble man who listened more than he spoke. As Principal of several Union County high schools and then a Director for Union County Public Schools, his impact on enriching the minds of the youth of Union County over his decades of service cannot be overstated.

Roger is survived by his college sweetheart and beloved wife, Carol, of 45 years; a very tight knit family that loved him tremendously; and an extremely close and much valued group of friends.

His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those that he interacted with both personally and professionally.

Roger was a member of Providence Presbyterian Church and felt very blessed to be a part of such wonderful Christian fellowship and community. A celebration of life, commemorating this good man, will be postponed due to Covid and held at a later date.

Roger was laid to rest in the Historic Cemetery of Providence Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church, 10140 Providence Church Ln., Charlotte NC 28277.