Ashley Victorick

Ashley Don Victorick

On Sunday, February 13, 2022, Ashley Don Victorick, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend died peacefully at 45 years old at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, Texas.

On November 29, 1976, Ashley was born in Bryan to Donnie and Janice (Albright) Victorick. He graduated from Snook High School in 1995. He attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham to serve as the men’s basketball team statistician/driver/coordinator and any other job Coach Waldo Dalchau gave him.

After two years, Ashley transferred to Texas A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in December 1999. While attending school, he worked at First Federal Bank in Bryan, learning everything he could about lending and finance until moving to Houston to work in the oil and gas industry. In doing that work, his Type A personality served him well. Ashley enjoyed the challenge and the tedious aspect of a tax return—it was his favorite time of the year, even though he’d say otherwise. He’d often joke when his mom or sister would complain about not balancing an account and missing $16. He’d laugh at the amount and say when they could add some zeroes behind their missing money; he’d help them find it. It was an inside joke that we still laugh about today!

While in Houston, Ashley served Texas A&M as Vice President and Past President of the Houston A&M Club, chairing its biggest fundraising events.

Ashley was a lifelong member of SPJST, serving as District Five President, secretary of the SPJST Finance Committee, and a delegate at the 2021 SPJST Convention. Ashley helped in almost all areas of SPJST throughout the years. Being involved in many areas, he saw a need to speed up the tabulation process at District and State Youth Achievement Days and created a program to expedite it. Ashley supported Lodge 9, Snook at its annual fundraiser and would offer ideas for improvement to help the lodge raise more money. He also supported the youth in every endeavor and especially enjoyed preparing the local king and queen contestants for competition because saw so much value in the public speaking contests.

At Lodge 88, Houston, Ashley served in many capacities as a member and past chair of Lodge 88 Board of Trustees, and most recently as treasurer. Perhaps his favorite time spent at the lodge was serving as bar chair because it combined his love for helping people and his ability to analyze data. He took pride in managing the bar operations. He considered it a personal accomplishment if he had to wait to close the lodge because people enjoyed themselves too much to leave. However, he never rushed anyone out the door, and customer service was always a priority.

Ashley was a member of the Bingo Committee at Lodge 88, and customer service was again his goal. The family has heard many stories about his Thursday nights at Bingo in the Heights and how he helped players and workers. In fact, last Thursday as he was in the hospital, he received several texts asking where his smiling face was. A life well-lived is in the service to others.

The Bingo Committee members were his second family, and he so enjoyed his Thursday nights spent with them. It’s impossible to detail every committee or event he chaired or every heart he touched with his kind and caring nature.

During his mother’s illness, he was the perfect caregiver for his mother. Ashley was the all-around cheerleader for his many friends and family. Without his attendance at ball games, track meets, fundraisers, and youth camps, it will leave a hole in many hearts. He is tremendously missed by niece Addison, whom he adored more than anyone. They were best friends and spent hours playing games, cooking, watching movies, texting, and talking about life. He rarely missed her softball or basketball games and never missed a dance recital.

Ashley was an avid high school and college football, basketball, and track fan. Few people could rival his statistical knowledge on where an athlete attended high school or college. Never bet against him on a sports trivia question! He had never missed the UIL Boys State Basketball Tournament, attending 45 consecutive years - his first one at four months old. Sports were always a large part of his life, and he enjoyed every opportunity to watch the events.

He was also an excellent cook. His dream was to open a bakery to make cookies and pastries for others to enjoy. But never ask him for a recipe because he couldn’t give you one!

Instead of flowers, the family asks friends to contribute to the Donnie, Janice, and Ashley Victorick scholarship fund at SPJST. Our goal is to fund three scholarships, and we can do it with your help! Ashley supported SPJST youth and believed in helping them further their education. Contributions can be made online at https://spjst.org/victorick-scholarship-fund/
Or mailed to SPJST, PO Box 100, Temple, TX  76503.

Ashley was preceded in death by his mother, Janice Victorick; grandparents Steve and Vlasta Victorick and Oscar and Mary (Woodburn) Albright; and special great-uncle and aunt who served as Papa and Grandma, Adolph C. and Emmagene Woodburn Sebesta.

Ashley is survived by his dad, Donnie; sister Melissa and husband Allen Brown; and a special niece, Addison Brown of Friendswood; aunts Lucille Hurley of Bryan and Janice Jahns and husband Wallace Jahns, all of Cypress; uncle David Victorick of Cypress; and many cousins whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by the many friends and adopted family he’s made throughout the years.

The family will receive visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 18 at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell, with a rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan on Saturday, February 19 at noon, with Father Brian Eilers and Monsignor John McCaffery officiating. Interment will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville immediately following the mass.

Serving as pallbearers will be Allen Brown, Keith Casey, Dex Dean, Dillon Dean, Bill Hurley, Steven Jahns, and David Latigo.