Ashley Marie Paugh, 35, of La Junta passed away unexpectedly November 20, 2022, in Colorado Springs. She was born January 2, 1987, to Larry Lee and Loretta Jean (Luckaj) Green in La Junta.

We’re absolutely devastated by the loss of Ashley. She meant everything to this family, and we can’t even begin to understand what will mean to not have her in our lives.

Ashley was a loving wife – she was my high school sweetheart – and she was just an amazing mother. Her daughter was her whole world, and she was so proud of Ryleigh, who is a championship swimmer. She loved her dad, her sister, and her family. Ashley was a loving aunt, with many nieces and nephews who are devastated by her loss.

She had a huge heart. I know that Ashley cared about so many people. She helped so many people through her work at Kids Crossing, a nonprofit that helps find loving homes for foster children. 

She would do anything for the kids – traveling all over southeastern Colorado, from Pueblo and Colorado Springs to Fremont County and the Colorado border, working to raise awareness and encourage individuals and families to become foster parents to children in our community. This included working with the LGBTQ community to find welcoming foster placements for children. 

During the holidays, Ashley organized giving trees and delivered them to businesses so that foster kids could have brighter holidays – and in fact, she was setting up giving trees even this week, canvassing Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

In addition to her family and making a difference in the community, Ashley loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding four-wheelers, also loved spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Kurt of the La Junta home; daughter, Ryleigh Marie Paugh; father, Larry Green of Olney Springs; mother-in-law, Carol (Paul) Young of Port Lavaca, Texas; sister, Stephanie (Norman) Clark of Ordway; sisters-in-law, Kimberly Paugh of Haswell and Krystal (Jimmy) Arellano of Ordway; and aunts and uncles, Joann (Gary) Peil of Manzanola. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Loretta Green; and grandparents, Thomas (Eula Mae) Luckaj and Earl Green and Louise (Delmer) Johnson.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Valley Trading Post, 23056 US Hwy 350, La Junta, CO 81050. Interment will follow at the Rocky Ford Cemetery in Rocky Ford.

In lieu of flowers, family would like you to support Kids Crossing by taking a tag off a giving tree at local businesses to support foster children.

Arrangements are under the direction of Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory.