James Duane Ashman

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, James Duane Ashman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed from this earth life surrounded by his family.  Jim was born on April 23, 1933, in Fillmore, Utah to Everett & Florence Ashman. He had five loving sisters.  He played football, basketball, ran track and field, and was the student body President at Millard High.  He attended college at BYU before enlisting in the Army. He married LaMon Melville in 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple.  After completing basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he enrolled in Northwestern Dental School in Chicago, Illinois.  After dental school he served several years in the Coast Guard in Port Angeles, Washington before moving to Provo, Utah, where he established his dental practice, and continued to grow his family. Jim and LaMon had five children, Teri, Todd, Tracy, Tyler and Jami. He was very outgoing and enjoyed being around people.  Jim was involved in the Utah Dental Association holding several positions including President of the Association.  He loved being a dentist and always treated his patients as family. He also shared his love of dentistry with his son Tyler who took over the practice when Jim retired after practicing for 48 years.

In 1985, following his divorce, Jim married Melody Sargent. Together, with her five children, they welcomed an addition to the family, Tayva Ann.  Jim and Melody built a home in Mapleton where they were able to share and develop several businesses out of their mutual love of horses.

Jim was a faithful and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among his many callings, he served as a bishopric counselor and bishop of the Edgemont 5th Ward.  He also enjoyed serving in the Provo Temple.   As a young child he developed a passion for horses which continued throughout his life.   He rode, trained, bred, and showed horses.  He rode with the Silver Saddles in the Provo Freedom Festival Parade for many years along with his children.  Jim enjoyed hunting with his sons, fishing in Alaska, and making memories on family vacations.

Jim is survived by his wife, Melody: his children and step-children; Teri Bowman (Mark), Todd Ashman (DeAnna), Tracy Schoepflin (William), Tyler Ashman (Tiffany), Jami Grames (Barry), Mickie Miller (Randy Egbert), Troy Lunceford (Mindy), Martin Lunceford (Margarita), Tricia Lunceford, Carl Michael Lunceford (Jessica). He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia Llewellyn, Brenda Johnson, 38 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Florence; sisters, Dorothy Fordham, Rosa Lee Robins, and Lea Rose Ashman; daughter Tayva Steele; grandson, Jayden Steele; great-granddaughter, Olivia Fountain and former wife, LaMon.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 20th, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Wheeler Mortuary Mapleton, 82 West 400 North, Mapleton. Funeral Services will be Monday, November 21st, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the LDS Chapel located at 825 East Hawk Rest Drive in Mapleton.  Burial will be in the Mapleton City Cemetery.