Bob Ames

Bob Ames, age 96, passed away surrounded by his family at home in Crescent City, California, on January 29, 2022.

Bob was born, December 8, 1925, in Chowchilla, California., and grew up in Santa Cruz, California.

He moved north to Crescent City, graduating from Del Norte High School. He enlisted in the Navy during WW II, serving as a salvage diver in the South Pacific, and later as an electrician during the Korean Conflict. During those years he married the love of his life, Mary Jean Johnson, in North Dakota, after meeting her while in school to become an electrician. One winter in the

mid-west convinced him to return to warm California with his bride, settling in Crescent City.

His beloved in-laws soon followed, which included Albert and Ella Johnson, Patricia and Don Olson, as well as Janet and Bert Ames.

Family was everything to Bob and Mary Jean. They raised four children while owning and operating the Bob Ames Company, along with his brother and parents. The tidal wave of 1964 wiped out the business but was rebuilt over the subsequent years. During that time Bob worked long, hard hours to provide for his family, but he also had fun while singing in choirs, dancing, backpacking, hunting, fishing, swimming at the family cabin that he helped build,

gardening, building, and maintaining a home, serving his church, taking family vacations, and eating delicious meals. Bob volunteered with the VFW and served on the school board.

The family business closed during the recession of the 1980’s, at which time Bob worked for the Crescent City Harbor. Upon retirement he continued to work as a part-time electrician. He volunteered at the Crescent City Historical Society. Bob and Mary Jean took many fun vacations which included visiting extended family and attending country music concerts.

Bob dedicated his life to the Christian faith by joining the Grace Lutheran Church. He worked in many capacities while sharing his love of Jesus Christ. He had many friends in the church whom he cared about deeply. Those friends sustained him as he became less able to get out into the community.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary Jean; son Brad Ames, Waterbury, CT; daughter Carolyn Walkner (Mike), McKinleyville, CA, daughter Kathy Sherwin (Ray), Crescent City, CA. Their grandchildren: Tiffany Ward, Cicely Ames, Rachel Armstrong, Adrian Sherwin, and Guy Walkner. Great grandchildren: Casey, Cody, Houston, Tatum, Baylee, Grady and Hadley.

Great-Great grandchildren: Seraphin and Solomon. He is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son Guy Ames, parents Bob and Fern Ames, brother Bert Ames, and sister Mary Lee Stutz.

Special thanks to Dr. Blundell’s office staff, Theresa Mosqueda, dad’s caregiver, as well as Dorothy Morgan and Jeri Carter.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 1 pm at the Del Norte County Veteran’s Cemetery. Out of respect for the family please wear a mask. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel.

Please sign the family’s online guest book at WiersMortuary.com