Roy Ashley Combs was born in Richmond, Kentucky to Thomas E. Combs and Dianna Issacs Combs. He passed away peacefully on February 23, 2021 at his home in Ormond Beach, FLorida. While growing up Ashley called both Kentucky and Florida his home. Ashley had a very diverse zeal for life, as he loved the mountains and country living as much as he loved the ocean and offshore fishing. He eventually made his home in Ormond Beach where he raised his family and proudly served the Volusia County Sheriff's Department for 25 years.

Ashley is survived by two sons, Preston Combs and Jackson Combs of Ormond Beach, FL; by his mother, Dianna Isaacs of Richmond, KY; by his father, Thomas Combs and his step-mother Rosa of London, KY; by one step-brother, Tim (Becky) Jackson of Knoxville, TN and by his special love​,​ Alisa Perrotta and her children, Mia and Joey of Ormond Beach. Ashley was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold & Mary Combs and Snowden & Lizzie Isaacs. Ashley leaves behind so many close friends who loved him, inspired him and added much joy to his life while working, fishing, motorcycling and just hanging out. He loved them and considered them as family.  Ashley's personal faith in Christ was strong and he so much appreciated those who faithfully prayed for him.

Ashley was a soldier in both the Kentucky and Florida Army National Guard. He completed his Advanced Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and was the Honor Graduate of TOW/Dragon Repairer Class 007-92. While serving in the Kentucky Guard Ashley and his dad, Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Tom Combs, had the honor of serving together in the First Battalion 149th Infantry, Barbourville, KY. He was also trained and proficient as a MANPADS Crewmember and an AVENGER Crewmember, while assigned to B Battery 1st Battalion 265th Air Defense Artillery (AVENGER). Ashley's awards and decorations included the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Florida Service Ribbon and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal. Ashley was Honorably Discharged from the Florida Army National Guard on December 1, 1998, so he could focus on his duties with the Volusia County Sheriff's Department. Ashley was a great soldier and a true Patriot.

Ashley started his career with the Sheriff's Office in 1995 and was assigned to patrol the City of Deltona. Shortly thereafter, Ashley tried out and was selected to join the agency's special weapons and tactics team (SWAT), which put him in the position to respond to many high-risk incidents throughout Volusia County.  Ashley was recognized several times for his outstanding work while serving in patrol, to include life-saving actions. Ashley would go on to serve within the Investigative Services Section working property and violent crimes. Ashley was then selected to become a member of the newly formed Volusia Bureau of Investigation (VBI). It was during this assignment that Ashley found his true professional calling. Ashley was responsible for dismantling many Central Florida-based drug trafficking organizations, which resulted in significant seizures of drugs and trafficker assets.  Ashley was promoted to sergeant and, following an initial assignment as a patrol sergeant, was assigned oversight of the Major Case Unit, where he supervised many high-profile murder investigations, including the clearing and successful prosecution of an unsolved murder from the early 1990s which claimed the life of a young college student. Ashley spent the final years of his career doing what he loved the most professionally: Leading VBI. Under Ashley's leadership, VBI advanced in technology, grew in partnership and became one of the most successful HIDTA groups in Central Florida. Ashley would retire from the Sheriff's Office in 2020.  The Sheriff's Office will honor Ashley with a private Memorial Service Wednesday, March 10th, 2021, at the Halifax River Yacht Club.  A private Memorial will also be held in Ashley's hometown Tyner, Kentucky at a later date.

One of Ashley's favorite Scriptures was "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9.