Kenneth Lee Ashmore was born on June 29, 1935, to Ransom E & Eurie I (Quillen) Ashmore in Bloomington, Delaware. The Ashmore family lived in Washington State, Massachusetts among others before coming to Rapid City. Ken lived with his parents until their passing.

Ken was something of a celebrity around town. A noted jokester Ken was a beloved regular at the Millstone Restaurant on Main Street where he was affectionately known as “Crash”. For more than 25 years Ken had 2 meals there daily, he even has a meal “The Crash Men's Special” named after him. You could also find Ken chatting with his friends at Wells Fargo where his parents had set up the Ashmore Trust to care for all of Ken’s needs. The Wells Fargo employees affectionately called him “Bud”. His Trust office would often take Ken to Black Hills Harley Davidson dealership during the Sturgis Rally. Ken also frequented the Bible Bookstore downtown. Ken collected Crosses, every wall in the house was covered with crosses of all types, sizes. Ken loved giving them to all his “Grandkids” (most every young person at church or the Millstone became his Grandkids), he loved telling people about all his Grandkids and showing them pictures. Ken also loved his 1995 Cadillac Seville Gold Edition (latterly “the car that was only driven to church on Sunday only by a little old man”). When Ken could no longer drive it he added the Hood Ornament to a chain and added it to his “Bling” waring it around his neck along with mom’s wedding ring, Pop’s Masonic ring, and a Black Hills gold ring that no longer fit his finger.

In the summer of 1993, a dying mother looked up at her only child and made one final request - that Ken find a church and attend it regularly. Ken honored that promise for 1671 Sundays. Even a battle with cancer didn’t keep Ken from church. Ken started attending “Strathaven Wesleyan Church” where Pastor Wendall Jones made him part of a Family. When Pastor Jones was called to another church Pastor Gary Seaton came giving Ken purpose and belonging by gave Ken the title of “Sanctuary Steward”. For around 20 years Ken faithfully made sure there were pencils and Offering Envelopes on the back of every pew. Ken watched his church family grow where he was lovingly called “Grandpa Ken”. When the church’s name changed in 2003 to “Crossroads Wesleyan Church” Pastor Dan Menefee was honored to have Ken jokingly call him “The Boss Man” for 20 years while Pastor called Ken “Old Timer”. Pastor Dan also had the honor of making Ken’s urn out of a branch from the Russian Olive tree Ken and Pop’s planted when they first moved to Rapid City. Pastor Sonny Rosbrugh has able to walk with Ken last 3 years of his life, continuing as Ken’s Spiritual Leader until the Lord took him home on Sunday, August 16, 2026. What a church service Ken enjoyed that day!

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Crossroads Wesleyan Church at 1:00pm.