Henry “Hank” Snyder Ashbaugh Jr. was larger than life. Indeed, in his prime he was 6-foot-8-inches tall — a hard cookie to go unnoticed, filling out a room when he walked in with a gravelly voice that commanded attention. Hank was born September 22, 1938, to Henry Snyder and Mae Elizabeth (née Jones) Ashbaugh in Jeanette, Pa., just east of Pittsburgh. Jeanette was a steel mill town, but Hank Sr. wanted a different future for his family and moved them west to Los Angeles in the early 1940s. There, Hank Jr. worked his way through school, tinkered with hot rods, danced, and played basketball. He was the first person in his family to get a college degree, earning a BS in Economics from Whitter College in 1962. He went on to work in metal sales, starting with Jorgensen Steel before moving on to Teledyne Allvac. His jobs transferred him to San Diego, then to Chicago, and to finally Charlotte, N.C., where he spent the remainder of his career. He travelled the world selling metal, having adventures, and rising through the ranks, retiring as Senior VP of Sales and Marketing at Teledyne in 2002. He and his second wife Charlene “Dean” (née Linker) retired to Amelia Island, Fla., in 2003, where they bought a grand house, a boat, and a series of 911 Porsches. He loved to fish, eat good food, smoke cigars, tell work “war stories” and spend time with family. After 20 years living the island life, Hank and Dean decided to move back to Mooresville, N.C., to be closer to family and grandchildren. They had good times with family over the next couple of years, but unfortunately all things come to an end. Following a brief illness, Hank Jr. passed away on June 12, 2025, knowing his family loved him.
Hank Jr. is survived by his wife Dean; his sister and brother-in-law Karen “Sam” and Bill Worrell; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dale and Reggie Drake; his son and daughter from a previous marriage Hank III and Channing Ashbaugh; his daughter-in-law, Ginette Arguello Ashbaugh; his stepchildren, Mark Furr and Ashlyn Lafone; his son-in-law, Kevin Lafone; and his grandchildren Nicole Lafone and Greyson Lafone.
His passing has created a void that cannot be filled, but we are all very grateful for the time we had and the memories we have.
No services will be held at this time.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville is proudly serving the Ashbaugh family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.