Ashley John Wooten

Ashley John (A.J.) Wooten, 56, went home to be with the LORD on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, from heart complications. He was born in Chapel Hill, N.C. to Robin Wooten, M.D., and Sarah Wooten Winslow. At the age of three, Ashley and family moved to Lakeland, FL, where he attended Carlton Palmore Elementary School, Lakeland Highlands Junior High (at the time) and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1985 where he was President of the Junior Jaycees. He attended Santa Fe Jr. College in Gainesville, FL.

Ashley loved plants and could grow anything, often from seed or even a fallen leaf! It was an amazing gift. He was the last owner of the Lake Hollingsworth Nursery. Following that chapter, he went into business for himself in computers & technology. Then, after having a heart transplant in 1998, he started a transportation company called Red Dog Express, successfully running it for the next 16 years.

Ashley was happiest when he was outdoors and truly appreciated God’s creation. He loved hunting, fishing, car racing, and surfing and rode the waves of many coastlines including Florida, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. While he greatly enjoyed the land and the sea, he also loved the air and flew Ultralights, gliders, and small aircraft at different times in his life.

In 1989 he participated in Operation Raleigh, a trailblazing program providing the space for young people to volunteer on projects around the world. Ashley’s project was in the Artic area of northern Canada.

Finally, Ashley adored his dogs, Bear & BJ, who passed before him, and his most recent companion & Humane Society Rescue, Charlie (AKA Chili Bean), who made him “laugh every day!”

Ashley was predeceased by his father, Robin N. Wooten, MD, of Lakeland, his stepfather, Donald F. Winslow, and step-niece, Jennifer Killea. He is survived by his mother Sarah Winslow of Lakeland, his sisters Katharine Wooten of Plant City, twin sister Liz Antaya (Jason) of Lakeland & Alex Jenkins (Joe) of Lutz, FL; stepmother Janet Wooten of Lakeland, former stepmother, Jane Jenkins of Lutz, stepsisters Kate Killea (Paul) of Cheshire, CT, Anne Winslow (Fran) of Carrboro, NC, and stepbrother, Mark Winslow (Katie) of Vero Beach. He is also survived by nephew Adam Antaya and niece, Carman Antaya, step-nephew Liam Killea, and step-nieces Grace and Anna Winslow, his aunts, Alice Rice of Winnsboro, SC, & Betty Dandridge of Jacksonville, FL and many cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 6th at First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland, FL, at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary with a reception to follow.