Getty/@melissaashworthwells/Instagram

Kelly Clarkson -- Brandon Blackstock 's second ex-wife -- has been front and center since his death ... but his first ex, Melissa Ashworth , is now grabbing the spotlight.

Over the weekend, Ashworth took to Instagram to post a tribute to Blackstock, who died August 7 following a long battle with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. She was married to him from 2001 to 2012, before he tied the knot with Clarkson in 2013. Both marriages ultimately ended in divorce.

In her IG post, Melissa describes Brandon as witty, charming and an "absolute gentleman who happened to wear cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, and a cowboy hat." She says he was the greatest dad and "loved hard and he fought hard." @melissaashworthwells/Instagram

Brandon and Melissa shar

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