Ashton Ronald Patterson

Ashton Ronald Patterson, 42, was killed in an apartment fire with his girlfriend, Jenny Lugo, on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.  His cats Bucky and Gizmo (that were like his children) also perished in the fire.

There will be a graveside service at 11 am at Greenlawn Cemetery, Tiffin, Ohio on Saturday, May 17.  A celebration of life will follow at the Tiffin Train Depot at 65 North Monroe Street.

Ashton was born prematurely to Ronald F. Patterson and Sheree D. (Thomas) Patterson in Tiffin, Ohio on January 13, 1983.  He fought for life from the first day.  He faced many challenges in his life and always kept a great attitude as he met each of them and continued moving forward.

Ashton lost his mother, Sheree, to cancer when he was 14 in 1997.  His father, “Rock-n-Roll Ronnie,” predeceased him in 2021.  Ashton was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles D. and Dorothy J. (Smith) Thomas and Frank H. and Eleanor (Newland) Patterson, aunts on his Dad’s side, Diane Jeffrey, Linda Toner & Teena Patterson, and an uncle on his Mom’s side, Steven C. Thomas. 

Sheree had arranged for her brother, Charles Thomas, and her sister-in-law, Rebecca Thomas, to become guardians and continue raising him after her passing.  Ashton went from an only child to having 3 brothers in Houston, Texas.  In 2006, the Thomas family was joined by a daughter that had been relinquished for adoption and her four children. 

It didn’t take Ashton too much time to settle into his new family and make many special friends in his new neighborhood.  He quickly became “one of the boys” and another cherished member of the family.  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.  Ashton was lucky to be a member of her close-knit family.  He & Nichole later divorced, but remained good friends and Ashton remained close to the family.  Nichole’s mother, Sue Franklin, became another important mother-figure to Ashton.  He was also close to his father-in-law, Burt Franklin.  Ashton was embraced by the entire Franklin family.  He also made many very close friends over the years.  Ashton was grateful for all of his mother figures and he knew all three of these women were special gifts in his life. 

Ashton is survived by many cousins on both sides and 4 aunts and 2 uncles on his Mom’s side.  Survivors include his Texas family, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Becky, cousins Collin, Troy (Nelly), and Ryan (Amber) Thomas, and Kari Skinkiss.  Nicole, Sue, and Burt also survive.

Ashton suffered from kidney disease, performing peritoneal dialysis, daily for five years, and he had many challenges with his health until he was blessed with a donor kidney in 2023.   After the initial struggle of receiving the new kidney, he was released from the kidney transplant clinic just a few months before his death.  He was finally on the road to better health and was so happy to be working again.  Ashton’s managers and fellow employees at Wendy’s spoke very highly of his work ethic and pleasant personality.

Ashton loved to fish, especially with his cousin Andrew, to play flag football with the Underdogs, to watch the Steelers, to play video games, and to hang out with his best friend, Tim.  He liked to spend time with family and friends on any adventure like hiking and going to parades, fairs, and other charity and community events.  He and the family participated in Pink Light Walks in honor of his mother every year.  He enjoyed spending time with his nephew Liam, and nieces Jocelyn and Salem.  While in the Poconos, he kept in touch with some Tiffin friends, including his best friend from childhood, Chad Vanover, his Tiffin and Houston families, and several of his classmates and teammates from Texas. 

Even though Ashton 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. 

The family would like to thank East Stroudsburg American Legion, Cinder Inn, the first responders, and the whole East Stroudsburg community for helping all of the fire victims. 

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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