Keith Ashford Obituary

Keith Douglas Ashford
August 22, 1962 – July 2, 2025
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
- 2 Timothy 4:6–8
With hearts full of reverence, sorrow, and gratitude, the family of Keith Douglas Ashford announces his passing on July 2, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 62. Born on August 22, 1962, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Keith was a cherished son, a devoted husband, a fiercely loving father, a doting grandfather, and a faithful servant of the Lord.
Though born in Corpus Christi, Keith was raised in Texarkana, Texas, alongside his two siblings in a Christian home that was deeply centered on faith. His upbringing was filled with love, purpose, and close family ties that would shape every part of his character. Keith was very close to his family growing up, and those strong family values would later form the foundation of the life he built with his own wife and children.
As a child, Keith found joy in the great outdoors. He loved fishing and riding in his dad's Jeep with the family, making memories that stayed with him all his life. He also had a passion for target shooting and was particularly enthusiastic about shooting snakes-something that delighted and amused those who knew him best. Following in his father's footsteps, Keith began collecting model cars. He especially loved classics and race cars and always dreamed of one day owning a garage full of them. He would often talk about how his dad had owned a new car lot when Keith was in high school, and how he was able to drive brand-new sports cars, including a Camaro, because of it. That memory was a source of pride and joy for him.
Keith's faith was the cornerstone of his life. He graduated from Christ for the Nations, a spiritual milestone that strengthened his walk with Christ. He later attended the University of Texas at Arlington, where he earned a bachelor's degree in finance. His career path began at General Dynamics, which would later become Lockheed Martin. Eventually, he moved on to Bell Helicopter, where he worked for over 20 years. But for Keith, his job was more than a career-it was a ministry. He viewed his time at work as an opportunity to talk to fellow employees about the gospel of Jesus Christ whenever he felt led by the Spirit to do so.
As an adult, Keith's love for the Lord grew deeper and more sincere with each passing year. His spiritual journey led him to Bethesda Community Church, where he met the love of his life, Shannon, in a singles group. Their love story was anchored in faith and devotion, and together they raised a family in Fort Worth, Texas, grounded in Christian values and radiant love. It was not uncommon for Keith to share his beliefs with strangers-anyone he felt might need a touch from the Lord. One powerful example was a homeless man he met off Beach Street. Keith not only prayed with the man, but formed a lasting friendship with him. He would drive by his makeshift tent to check on him and, during extreme weather, Keith would offer to put him up in a hotel. This quiet act of compassion reflected Keith's heart for all of God's children.
Keith was a family man above all else. He was deeply supportive of his children's dreams, always present at extracurricular activities and even coaching his daughter's soccer team. He had an uncanny resemblance to Robert Downey Jr. and would often compare himself to Iron Man. His children embraced it, and Iron Man quickly became the family's favorite Marvel character. As his children would say: "Love you 3000."
He was deeply protective, always listening, always comforting, and always present. He encouraged his children to step outside of their comfort zones-he would even ride huge roller coasters with them and place his arm around them to ease their fears. He wanted them to be brave, but he never wanted them to feel alone.
Keith adored Christmas more than any other holiday. He decorated their house inside and out with festive lights and joyful signs that proclaimed, "Jesus is the reason for the season" and "Happy Birthday, Jesus." He wanted to make sure the world knew why we celebrate. He would rise at 3 or 4 a.m. on Christmas morning and sleep just outside his children's bedrooms to ensure they didn't sneak downstairs before he was ready-and so he could orchestrate the perfect photo opportunities when they came down to see their gifts. Keith believed in the magic of Christmas, but even more in the miracle of Christ's birth.
He also loved Resurrection Sunday and made sure the children received an abundance of Easter candy and gifts. He taught them about the importance of the Jewish feasts and holidays, always reminding them that Jesus observed these traditions while on Earth-and so should we. Keith made every celebration meaningful. Another favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. He was extremely patriotic and loved this country with a deep and passionate heart. He often expressed frustration about the state of the nation, and it was not unusual to hear him yelling at the television when he disagreed with a politician or a commentator. He was a proud Trump supporter and believed wholeheartedly in the Make America Great Again movement.
Keith had a sweet tooth for snow cones-banana with cream was his favorite. He would often gather the entire family just to go get one. He was deeply generous. If he saw someone in need, he wouldn't hesitate to shake their hand and place cash in their palm-just to bless them. If someone in the family mentioned liking a particular snack or drink, Keith would buy several of them and keep them stocked at home just to make sure they always had what they enjoyed.
He constantly stressed to the children how important it was to take care of their mom. Mother's Day was a big deal to him. He expected them to honor and pamper her-and made it clear that tradition was to be continued long after they were grown. Keith was the same way with all gift-giving holidays. He went out of his way to make every birthday and Christmas meaningful.
Keith often picked the kids up from daycare and later from school. The ride home would be filled with loud music and laughter as they all belted out their favorite songs-especially "Hotel California." He loved making his children laugh. He would even pretend to walk into doors and hit his head, much to the horror of any adults watching-because he was so convincing.
He liked to drive fast. If you weren't used to it, you might get nervous-but Keith always had complete control. He never wrecked. In fact, he took pride in his ability to drive fast while being completely aware of his surroundings. It gave him a sense of confidence and freedom.
Keith had an open-door heart. He made all of his children's friends, boyfriends, and girlfriends feel welcome. He was curious about every aspect of their lives and always showed an interest in what mattered to them. He had a love for guns and owned a collection. He made sure his children, including his daughters, felt comfortable handling them and took them to the shooting range. He believed it was important that they knew how to protect themselves and stay safe.
He took his role as husband and father seriously. He felt it was his privilege and responsibility to provide for, protect, and lead his family. He listened. He gave advice-whether it was asked for or not-because he wanted his family to make good decisions and use sound judgment. He taught them to be aware of their surroundings and to always be prepared for different scenarios.
Keith was considered very attractive and had a good sense of style. He appreciated the finer things in life and was often complimented on his appearance. But his true beauty was in how he loved. He gave generously and without occasion. He loved to buy surprise gifts for his family, just because he thought they'd like them. He had a memory for what others enjoyed, and out of the blue he would give them something thoughtful-simply because he noticed.
Keith's love for Jesus was evident in everything he did. His prayers moved people. They stirred the hearts of those around him and made people contemplate the truth of God. He was often told he had a gift for sharing the love of Christ in a way that made others hungry for more. His purpose in life was clear: to serve Jesus, to love his family, and to help others whenever he could.
During his last days in the hospital, his strength and love never wavered. When he saw his daughter Kaitlyn crying, he gently asked, "What's wrong, baby girl?" And when others cried, he said, "It's going to be all right," because even in his suffering, he wanted to comfort those around him. Keith cherished his children deeply. In his eyes, they could do no wrong.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Carolyn, and his grandmother, Mamaw Purtle.
Keith is survived by his loving wife, Shannon Ashford; his children and their spouses: Kailey and her husband Logan, Kaitlyn, Keithers, Caleb and his wife Malorie, Joshua and his wife Stephanie, and Gabrielle; eight grandchildren whom he adored; and his siblings: Kelli and her husband Robert Diaz, and Kevin and his wife Debbie Ashford.
A celebration of Keith's life will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Azle Funeral Chapel, located on the grounds of Azleland Cemetery. The committal service will immediately follow on the cemetery grounds.
Keith's legacy is one of unwavering faith, deep devotion, and a boundless love that will echo for generations. Though he has left this earth, he has gained his crown of righteousness, and now walks in the presence of the Lord-where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, and joy everlasting.
We love you, Keith.
We love you 3000.
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