John "Jack" Melvin Ashford Jr.

January 19, 1937 - May 20, 2021

John Melvin Ashford Jr., 84, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2021. “Jack” as he was so affectionately called was born January 19, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA to Nina Gary and John Ashford Sr. Jack was educated through the Philadelphia School District and stopped once he was in the 10th grade to take care of his mother and family. He was a post office worker for many years. In his spare time he loved to fish, bowl, bike ride, paint beautiful oil paintings in which he was self-taught, and spend time watching movies. He loved animals and always had pets including dogs, an iguana, all types of fish such as piranhas, and even snakes and monkeys! Jack was baptized with his daughter, Jaclene, in 1993 and soon after joined Pinn Memorial Baptist Church where he was a devoted member and sang in the choir. Even after leaving Philadelphia and moving to Delaware in 2002 he frequently watched TBN and other Christian networks and remained a continually active Christian who loved the Lord and prayed all the time. Jack is survived by his longtime partner, Linda Carey; daughters, Cecilia Ashford and Jaclene Ashford Ball; son-in-law, Steve Ball, grandchildren: Dwayne Stevens, Charmayne Stevens, Taliah Ashford, Nakiah Ashford, and Trinity Ball; nephews and nieces: Kevin Johnson, Tonya Johnson, and Lydell Johnson; 14 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends and family. A visitation will be held Thursday, June 3, 2021, from 10-11 AM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE 19702 followed by a service in celebration of Jack’s life at 11 AM. Burial will be private. For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.stranofeeley.com