Obituary of James Berry Ashwell

James Berry Ashwell Succumbed to cancer on October 31, 2012. He was born on June 1, 1929 in Huddleston, Bedford County, Virginia He and his family relocated to the area known as Navy near Herndon, Virginia when he was 14. He was active in extracurricular activities and student government at Herndon High School, as well as athletics. He was a three-sport letterman in baseball, basketball and football. He was named to the school's All-Century Baseball Team. Upon graduation from high school he attended the University of Virginia on scholarship where he excelled in track and football, lettering in each. He was the state collegiate champion in the 100-yard dash and he was a halfback on the nationally ranked Virginia football teams of the early 1950s. Known as "The Herndon Flash", he held the UVa individual record for longest kick off return (95 yards) for forty-one years. He earned a Bachelor's of Science ('52) and Master of Education ('69) from the University. After serving a stint in the Navy, he taught Physical Education at Marshall High School (Fauquier County, Virginia) and at Mt. Vernon High School (Fairfax) before returning to his alma mater, Herndon High School, where he taught for the remainder of his career. He coached the Football team to several district championships, the Boy's Track team to a State Championship and a Boy's Doubles Tennis duo to the State finals. After retirement he continued to play golf, which was a passion. Even after his cancer diagnosis, he continued to play and shot 76 in his last round at the age of 83. He enjoyed traveling and visited many parts of the world with his wife of sixty years Lorraine Blevins Ashwell. He is survived by his children, Linda Ashwell Soller, of Oakton, J. Gregory Ashwell, of Warrenton, and Kimberly Ashwell Wilkoff, of Charlotte, N.C. and six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or Capital Caring Hospice.