Ashton Robert O'Dwyer Jr.

Ashton Robert O’Dwyer, Jr., a New Orleanian since his birth on October 23, 1947, died on October 20, 2026 at his home in Houston, Texas at 78 years old. Ashton was born to and predeceased by Shirley Deneumoustier O’Dwyer and Ashton Robert O’Dwyer, Sr. (“Mickey”). He attended St. Rita School, Jesuit High School, and went on to earn a combined degree of Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law in May 1971, ranking third in his class of 120. Immediately following his admission to the practice of law, he proceeded to active duty for training as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and for the following 6 years served as an Officer in the United States Army Reserve.

Ashton then commenced a successful and prominent law career, practicing Admiralty and Maritime Law, wherein he became a skilled trial lawyer handling complex cases of death and personal injury defense, allision, collision, environmental, freight, demurrage and defense, insurance, toxic tort, and cargo/charter party cases. During that time, he represented clients worldwide and developed deep relationships with them on his numerous travels to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

His maritime law career pivoted after 35 years when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. Thereafter, he filed the first Victims of Katrina Class Action lawsuit and vigorously immersed himself in Katrina litigation and the pursuit of justice for the victims and himself, undeterred by repeated setbacks in the court system. When Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans, he encountered more adversity and continued his legal pursuit of justice. On the bright side, Hurricane Ida brought him to Houston in 2021, closer to his wife and daughters.

Ashton is survived by his wife of 59 years, Katherine Taber O’Dwyer (“Kitty”) and their 4 children, Katherine “Rhett” O’Dwyer Ross (Peyton) of Houston, Texas, Ashley O’Dwyer Day (Jeff) of Houston, Texas, William “Ryan” O’Dwyer of Washington D.C., and Kathleen Taber O’Dwyer of Astoria, Oregon. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Kaitlyn Rhett Ross, Joseph “Peyton” Ross Jr., Cole Edward Ross, Anna Katherine Day, and Jeffrey “Baker” Day, Jr. and his 4 siblings, Maureen D. O’Dwyer, Michael P. O’Dwyer, Alexis O’Dwyer Navarro, and Lisa M. O’Dwyer.

Ashton, known to all as AROD, was a character: quick-witted, hot-tempered, sharply dressed (Brooks Brothers and Polo Ralph Lauren were his favorites), tanned, and endlessly entertaining. He had a deep love of history, especially the Civil War and World War II. A marathon runner and world traveler with a brilliant legal mind and a gift for storytelling, he kept many lifelong friends from high school, college, his running group, his business life, and his online communities. Above all, Ashton was an honest man, and he spent the last two decades of his life pursuing justice.

Ashton will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony in his familial “O’Dwyer” tomb at the Metairie Cemetery in December. New Orleans was always home for him, and he will rest there in eternal peace.