Homepage - USS Rich - Deceased Shipmates

Retired U. S. Navy Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Oachel "Jerry" Asbury, 73, of Ormond Beach, Fla., formerly of Bear Creek, passed away at home March 1 following a long battle with medical conditions related to Amyloidosis resulting from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Oachel is predeceased by his parents John and Janie of Tazewell, Tenn.; one brother Junior; and six sisters Pauline, Georgia, Opel, Helen, Kathy and Carol.

In addition to his loving wife and kindred spirit Marsha, he is survived by his son Steve and wife Chris and grandchildren Kyle, Allison and Alexis of Greensboro, N.C.; daughter, Sandra and grandchildren Crystal and Angela of St. Pauls and Beulaville, N.C.; daughter, Deborah and grandchildren Robert and Joey of Beaufort and Walterboro, S.C.; daughter, Karen Blanco and husband Francisco of Jacksonville, N.C. and grandchildren David and Barbara; and devoted and loving sister, Dottie and husband Ernie of Bourbonnaise, Ill. He also is survived by three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; longtime family friends, Sgt. Maj. Sam T. Henderson Jr., USMC (ret); Sgt. Maj. Bill Hall, USMC (ret); Chief Jerry Randle, USN (ret); members of the retired Navy Downeastr' family; and countless other friends and family members.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Cmdr. A. Rodriquez, MC, USN and staff at the Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune; Doctor Kevin French and the staff at CCHC Internal Medicine and Cardiology, New Bern; the staff at the National Institutes of Health, Amyloid Research Center, Bethesda. Md.; the staff of the Amyloid Research and Treatment Center, Boston University Medical Center; the staff of the Amyloid Research and Treatment Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.; Doctor Rick Gorman and staff at the New Bern Cancer Care Center, New Bern; Community Care and Hospice of Swansboro for their outstanding professional, compassionate care and encouragement during these difficult times; and the Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, Fla. for their unfailing respect and devotion in making Oachel comfortable while in their care.

Final earthly interment will be at Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, N.C. on a future date. Donations may be made in Oachel's name to the Hospital Corpsmen Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 12641, Jacksonville, N.C. 28546-2641. Email condolences, words of comfort, reminiscences, yarns and sea stories to the family at Masterchiefasbury@yahoo.com. Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. "Haze Grey and Underway! No more Channel Fever, for Oachel is finally Home.