Orville James Ashley of Prattsville, Arkansas, fondly known as "Coach", was born October 31 , 1932 in Prattsville, the son of the late Dudley Daniel and Clarid McCool Ashley.

He served his country in the Unites States Army during the Korean War and was a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, where he enjoyed deep study of the Bible with his Sunday School Class.

Mr. Ashley went to be with his Lord on Monday, May 1 , 2023 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia at the age of 90.

Coach Ashley graduated from Prattsville High School, earning his Bachelor Degree at Henderson State University in Physical Science and Math and a Masters Degree at University of Arkansas in School Administration.

He had many work experiences proudly working with his father as a logger, factory worker, mail carrier and basketball referee. His passion was realized when he was hired by Prattsville Highschool serving as Principal, Math Teacher and Basketball coach.  His love for Prattsville, Grant County, and its student kept him there until his retirement. After retirement he enjoyed his time helping with his cousin's HVAC company and his neighbor's cabinet company.  He also loved and appreciated his time with the Poyen Basketball Teams and students.

He loved all sports but basketball was in his blood.  He coached boys and girls basketball teams but really settled in to coaching the boys.  Coach had 25 years of winning seasons,  leading the Prattsville Senior boys to a 77% winning record in his tenure.  He could remember every basketball player on his boys team, their weight, height and position.  Often in the top percentile of their class in the state, he fondly remembered all of his games including the 40-1 run and State Championship Runner-up in the 1971-72 season and the 40-1 run in 1983–84.   He was awarded 4 "Outstanding Coach of the Year" awards by the Arkansas Athletics Association (AAA).  Coach proudly was inducted into the Arkansas Highschool Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003.  When he was not coaching or supporting the Prattsville Basketball Clubs, he served as a scout for many collegiate coaches around the state.

He was a member of the Prattsville Hunting Club and Sheridan Country Club and Malvern Country Club where he held many golf championships. He also liked to hunt and fish.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Olton Ashley and a sister, Juanita Crutchfield, and his wife Becky Ashley.

Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Rob Thompson of Bauxite; sister, Oleda Jean Norwood of Citrus Heights, CA; grandchildren, Lennon (Olivia) Smith, Marlee Thompson, and Lindie (Jake) Walker, and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, students and many friends.

Funeral service will be Friday, May 5 , 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Harmony Missionary Baptist church in Prattsville with Bro. Pat Greer, Bro. Shawn Hill and Bro. Neal Hollinger officiating. Visitation is from 1:00 P.M. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville. Pallbearers are Steven Crutchfield, Daniel Crutchfield, Brent Holiman, Daren Henderson, Gerald Smith, and Noah Pruitt.

Honorary pallbearers are Gary Shoptaw, Rex Pumphrey, Rick Ashley, Poodle Benning, Teresa Pruitt, Bill Carder, Sally Carder, Tony Carder, Lewis Clegg, Roy McCollum, Harold Holiman, Mary Ellis, Bro. Don Goodman, David Bean, Daniel Holt, Brian Harrington and William Boune'.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Harmony Missionary Baptist Church or Poyen Basketball, Poyen School District, 14296 US 270, Poyen, AR.