J. David Ames

J. David Ames, 77, of Fargo, ND, went home to be with the Lord on August 29, 2011, at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN, after a short, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Judson David Ames was born July 1, 1934, in Fargo, North Dakota, son of Andrew Judson and Marie Louise (Corbett) Ames. He graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1954. He was a member of the choir and participated in Fargo Central’s first operetta, “The Red Mill.” He lettered in football and was a member of the National Athletic Honor Society. David graduated from Moorhead State University (MSUM), formerly known as Moorhead State Teacher’s College, in 1958. David married Janice Rorvig on June 29, 1991 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Excelsior, Minnesota. David was a social studies teacher for 38 years; 1958-59 in Perham, Minnesota and 37 years at Ben Franklin Junior High School in Fargo. He did landscaping and was a maintenance technician and mail parts deliverer for Goldmark Property Management for eight years. David served in the Air National Guard from 1953 – 1961. He assisted with flight line training and maintenance. David served on the ushering team for First Lutheran Church and Shoreham Chapel and was a member of the Eagles, Elks, NDSU Team Makers and Great Northern Railroad Society. He spent summers at Lake Munson and Lake Melissa, where he enjoyed golfing, fishing, bird watching and gardening. David also enjoyed cooking, trains and watching football. He is survived by his wife, Janice, Fargo, ND; his son, Jon (Lexi) Ames, Puyallup, WA; his daughter, Jennifer (Frank) Karreman, Bainbridge Island, WA; his grandchildren, Campbell and Walker Ames; and Nancy and Anneke Karreman. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Ames; and sisters, Joanne Brown, Janice Peterson and Alice Wieland. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church Music or Ushering Funds, Shoreham Chapel or NDSU Athletic Association. Memorial Service: Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.