Obituary of Randall Blair Ashby

Randall Blair Ashby died unexpectedly Friday, March 19, 2021. Randy was born in Gatesville, Texas on January 27, 1952 to Paul and Eleanor Ashby, the third of four boys. He was a 6th generation Texan.  His mother’s family, the Blairs, arrived in 1845, and the Ashby family in 1854. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in North Dallas in 1970, and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.B.A. in Marketing with honors. He went on to study law and received his J.D. degree from the University of Houston Bates College of Law.   

Waiting for his bar results, he worked at a restaurant as a server, the job that was the most consequential of his life. It was there that he met Mary. They married in 1982 and joyfully welcomed Timothy Andrew in 1989 and Matthew Paul in 1996. Randy loved Mer and their boys more than anything, especially cherishing their time camping and hiking together in the Texas Hill Country. 

Upon graduating from law school, Randy worked as an attorney with the City of Houston Prosecutor’s Office, then practiced law at Ross Banks. He was a partner at Waldron & Schneider for 28 years, joining the firm shortly after it was founded.

Randy was very active in his community, serving on the boards of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Armand Bayou Nature Center, and was a member of The O.N.E. Group.

Randy’s love of singing started early when he and his brothers would harmonize together as a family. His beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by the members of St. Rose of Lima and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic parishes. He was also a former member of the Houston Choral Society.   

Randy is survived by Mary, his loving wife of almost 39 years; sons, Timothy (fiancée Angela), and Matthew; brothers, Jerry Ashby and his wife, Sharon, and Doug Ashby and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Tina Ashby; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Therese Behrendt, Margaret and Ben Denson, Gary and Kuniko Wahlen, Joanne and Robert Johnson, David Wahlen, and Lissa Goodwin. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eleanor and Paul Ashby: brother, Wendell Ashby, aunts Doris Denman and Roberta Powell; his father and mother-in-law, Hank and Gloria Wahlen; and brothers-in-law, Greg Goodwin and Frank Behrendt.  

Randy was an honorable man whose faith guided him throughout his life. His gentle nature and big hugs will be missed by all.  

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, in Houston Texas. 

If desired, donations can be made to:  Armand Bayou Nature Center, PO Box 58828, Houston, TX. 77258; Birthright of Houston, 1200 Blalock Rd. Ste. 104, Houston, TX. 77055; or Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX. 75204; or a charity of your choice.