Ashton Patterson Obituary

Ashton Ronald Patterson

Ashton Ronald Patterson, 42, was killed in an apartment fire with his girlfriend, Jenny Lugo, on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in East Stroudsburg, PA. His cats Bucky and Gizmo also perished in the fire.

Ashton was born to Ronald F. Patterson and Sheree D. (Thomas) Patterson in Tiffin January 13, 1983. He lost his mother, Sheree, to cancer in 1997. His father, "Rock-n-Roll Ronnie," died in 2021. He was also preceded in death by grandparents, Charles D. and Dorothy J. (Smith) Thomas and Frank H. and Eleanor (Newland) Patterson, paternal aunts Diane (Odell) Jeffrey, Linda Toner and Teena Patterson, and maternal uncle, Steven C. Thomas.

In 1997, Ashton moved to Houston, Texas, to live with his Uncle Charles Thomas and his family. He quickly became a cherished member of the family and settled into his new neighborhood and school. He graduated in 2001 from Stephen F. Austin High School, where he played football and participated in track.

He later moved to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where he met and married Nichole Franklin, and was embraced by the entire Franklin family, and made many close friends over the years. They later divorced but remained good friends, and Ashton remained close to the family. Nicole's mother, Sue Franklin, became another essential mother figure to Ashton.

Survivors include his Texas family, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Becky; cousins, Collin, Troy (Nelly), & Ryan (Amber), Thomas, and Kari Skinkiss. He is also survived by aunts, Cindy (Doug) Colgate, Lori Thomas, Carlene Hitchcock, Candy (Johnny) Ange, and Jacque (Randy) Groves; and another uncle, Kim (Patti) Thomas on his Mom's side; many cousins on both sides, Nicole, Sue, and Burt Franklin also survive.

Ashton suffered from kidney disease and was blessed with a donor kidney in 2023. He was on the road to better health and was working again at Wendy's. He loved to fish, especially with his cousin Andrew, play flag football, watch the Steelers, play video games and hang out with his best friend, Tim. He liked to spend time with family and friends, hiking and going to community and charity events. He and the family participated in Pink Light Walks in honor of his mother every year. He enjoyed spending time with nephew Liam and nieces Jocelyn and Salem. While in the Poconos, he kept in touch with Tiffin friends, including his best friend from childhood, Chad Vanover, his Tiffin and Houston families, and several of his friends from Texas.

Even though he struggled at many points in his life, he was known as a very caring and giving person who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had many friends who spoke the kindest words about him and who will miss him dearly.

Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Tiffin. Celebration of life will follow at Tiffin Train Depot, 65 North Monroe Street, Tiffin.

Online condolences may be shared at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.