Community comes together after Buffalo Coach’s Wife dies

BUFFALO, Texas (KBTX) – The Community is coming together after Buffalo High School football coach, Austin Ashley, lost his wife, Amanda Ashley, unexpectedly last week.

KBTX went to Buffalo and spoke to Buffalo High School Principal, Lu Olvera, and Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Jamin Savell about the Ashley family.

Savell said Amanda Ashley was loved by many and had a strong love and devotion to her family.

“She’s a tremendous woman, they’re (the family) taking this loss extremely hard because she’s one of those people that has always had a standing job offer there (Fairfield High School) because of the impact she left on the community and kids there,” said Savell.

John Bachtel, the Athletic Director of Fairfield High School, where Amanda worked said, “Amanda was greatly loved by everyone in Fairfield and is someone who had a great deal of character and integrity. Our community is hurting for the Ashley family in their time of loss.”

Amanda died unexpectedly last week.

Now her husband and three children are trying to find a way forward.

“I can’t imagine what he is going through and I know we have people reaching out saying they have reached out to him, I know he is going to reach out to those people, he is just dealing with this as he can,” said Savell.

Amanda has left a lasting legacy.

“What they have been able to do for our community so far, they’ve energized it, they’ve brought kids out of the woodworks to come play again,” said Savell.

A GoFundMe was created to support the Ashley’s and it has already garnered over $33,000.

Buffalo High School’s Principal, Lu Olvera, said for those who would like to support the Ashley’s, to please pray for the family or donate through the GoFundMe here.

Olvera said that the outpouring of love from the community is a testament to the family’s character.

“To receive the support that the Ashley family has received is awesome and it tells you just what kind of people, as my father-in-law would always say ‘they are good people’,” said Olvera.

The community is also holding a cookout fundraiser on July 26th at First Baptist Church Buffalo that is open to the public to attend and show their support.