John Louis Ames
John Louis Ames, 87 of Lawrence, died January 5, 2013 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
John was born February 11, 1925 in Americus Kansas, the son of A.C. and Elvessa T. Ames.
John was a veteran of WWII and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Monterrey in the South Pacific.
John came to Lawrence in 1956 after teaching for five years in Burlingame Kansas. He taught at Lawrence High School for 20 years. During that time he founded the distributive education program and introduced accounting, business law and consumer economics. He also taught adult education courses which led to his leading the Adult Basic Education program in 1976 until he retired in 1988.
He was a life member of the Elks Lodge, the Masonic Lodge and a member of the American Legion for more than 50 years. John was also active with the Boys State program in Kansas and was a wonderful fund raiser for the organization.
He married Lois L. Mathew on December 14, 1945 in Arkansas City, Kansas. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a daughter, Paula Gaskill and her husband Stephen of Sacramento California. They have three sons and six grandchildren. A son, Mark, of Columbia, Missouri and his wife Elizabeth Buhler Ames have three daughters.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.
The family suggests memorials in his name be sent to the American Legion or the First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I really respected and liked John Ames as a teacher. His teaching was very positive. Gary Rieck, Class of 1956 at Burlingame High School.
Gary Rieck
Student
January 4, 2020
I was a student in John Ames first high school, Burlingame High. He had the ability to help a student realize they had potential. He was genuine in his
interest and caring for students. We all gained from having him for a teacher. Today he is remembered with respect and appreciation.
January 29, 2013
so sorry to learn of John's passing...have very fond memories of him all during my jr and senior high school days. My class (1956) was his first class to teach when he came to Burlingame. Our class always mentions the antics that were done by both him and us during high school Was a great teacher and a lot of fun. Also I baby-sit with Paula and Mark. Want to tell the whole family that my prayers are with you at this time and know that you all have wonderful memories to keep with you always. fondly, Marilyn Hotchkiss Rice
January 29, 2013
John was a great teacher, coach and friend. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. John Sutherland, BHS
January 28, 2013
Mr. Ames was my favorite teacher. He was kind, caring, and very funny. He made learning fun. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad time. Please know that he had a positive influence on many, many lives.
Sincerely,
Debbie Floyd Balise (LHS class of 1976)
January 20, 2013
Dearest Aunt Lois,
I am so sorry to hear we have lost Uncle Johnny, I loved him so dearly, he was always do fun making us
laugh. My deapest sympathys to you, Paula and Mark and families. I Love you Aunt Lois and will have you in my prayers.
Your Niece, Diana and Art
January 19, 2013
So sad to hear of Mr. Ames passing. I had Mr. Ames for DE my senior year at LHS 1973-1974, We had such a great class and he was a wonderful teacher. I know from other classmates it was Mr. Ames who instilled, for many of us, positive work ethic. Sending loving prayers to his family.
Catherine Grigsby Miller
January 12, 2013
What a great teacher he was. I learned so much form him and to this remember many of the things he told me. I use some of saying and thoughts as a teacher today. what great person he was. Class of 1965.
Ted Crady
January 11, 2013
John was my business law teacher at LHS in 1965. He was a fine teacher, but what I will remember the most about him was his sincerity and his sense of humor. He was also a great listener and genuinely cared for his students. Mick Allen, class of '66.
January 10, 2013
I love you big bunches big guy...you were a wonderful influence and a fnatastic grandfather. I will not lose your lessons in both life and math but I will forever miss your face. Love your oldest granddaughter, Julia
January 10, 2013
Our prayers are with Mr Ames family. Sandy and I owe a lot to Mr Ames, if it was not for him I may have never finished High School and we would have never meet. Even after 48 years we still reminise about his guiding words and the interest he had in us to become what we wanted to be and not judged where we came from. He wanted us to focus on what we could give to our chosen career not just what we get from it. He was not only a good teacher he was a great caring person in the students who needed his guidance in or out of class. He will be missed.
Dan & Sandy Harrison
January 9, 2013
Mr. Ames was a gifted teacher and most interested in his students.It was a privilage to have known him.
Cynthia "Muff" Colonna LHS 1963
January 9, 2013
My sincere sympathy to John's family and friends. John hired me as a business teacher for Lawrence High School. He was not only a great mentor but also a good friend. Our Business Education Department family remains one of the fondest memories of my educational career.
Sharon Robinson
January 9, 2013
It was a privilege knowing John and having morning coffee with him periodically. I loved his sharp wit, joyful manner and kindness. May he rest in peace.
Pat Fagan
January 9, 2013
We are sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of John and Lois at the Elks.
Eddie and Jean Eiffert
January 9, 2013
John was a dear friend to my grandparents, Frank and Dorothy Green, and our family for many years. I remember him fondly from many late evenings, dancing the night away at the Elks Lodge. My sister Holly and I always knew him as "Turkey": very silly, but also sweet and caring. He will be sorely missed by everyone in our family. My heart grieves with you, dear Lois and family. Blessings upon you all.
Melissa Spease Avery
January 8, 2013
Mr. Ames was a great leader in the Adult Education field, and I was very fortunate to have worked for him for nine years. He wanted to have the best for his students and was willing to assist and guide the staff toward reaching high goals. He will be missed.
Leah Rurode
January 8, 2013
Mr.Ames was one of my favorite teachers great teacher and a kind human being. My sympathy to the family.
January 8, 2013
Mr. Ames was an incredible teacher, mentor and individual. He was always able to make the classroom an enjoyable but learning atmosphere. He was my DE teacher in 1973/74. I am sorry for your loss, he was a really great guy. Lynn Bunce Heiserman
January 8, 2013
John was one of the greatest men I've ever met! His sense of hunmor and his caring of people (his love of children) made him an unforgettable character, and he was a character! His name for me to years has been "turkey"! He was one of a kind!
Shirley Valentine-Wynes
January 8, 2013
John was one of the greatest men I've ever known, although for years his name for me has been "turkey"! His sense of humor, his caring of other people (his love of children) made him an unforgettable character and a "character" he was! He was one of the best!!!
Shirley Valentine-Wynes
January 8, 2013
Mr. Ames was a wonderful teacher and helped shaped the professional path I took after high school. My sympathy to his family.
Sharon Dwyer
January 8, 2013
I'm so sorry for your loss. I had Mr Ames as an instructor in 1962-1963, he was a wonderful man.
Sandy
January 8, 2013
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