It was the bottom of the seventh inning, the score was tied, there were two outs. It was Ames’s turn to bat. He approached the plate, feeling a little unsure, but confident in his COACH. The first pitch went by, “strike” the umpire loudly called, but Ames wasn’t worried, he never swung at the first pitch no matter how good it was. Before the next pitch the COACH says, “OK, Ames it’s time to take it home.” With that Ames swung, sending the ball over the back fence as he rounded the bases to his Heavenly Home. December 27, 2020. God (His COACH) called him to his heavenly home.
Dick was born July 22, 1942, to Charlie Bill and Helen (Thompson) Ames. He was welcomed home by his older sister, Charlotte (Ames) Chamberlain. Later brothers, Stan (Millie), Tom (Sandy) and Gary (Julie) joined their family.
He attended Van Buren School near Brazil graduating in 1960. In school he excelled in baseball once pitching a no hitter and basketball being one of the higher scoring players in Clay County.
From his youth Dick loved camping and sports. He coached girls’ and women’s softball over 38 years, and was an ASA National umpire. And a diehard Cubs fan. He volunteered thousands of hours to the Old School Park in Darlington, and it was a labor of love. In 2001 he was the recipient of the RTV6 Leadership Award for outstanding service to the community.
He worked for Arnie Linton in Rockville as a drag line operator. Next at RR Donnelley in Crawfordsville for 44 years. His last job was working for Darlington Light and Power. It was at RR Donnelley that he met his wife of 56 years, Rhoda (Rho) Coffing Ames.
They were blessed with daughters, April Lynch and Kimberly Ames; granddaughters, Crystal (Brandan) Stadler, Suzanna Brown (Sam Woodrow), Brandy Lynch and Emily (CJ) Spencer; great-grandchildren, Collin, Christopher, Kobyn, Hannah, Emma and Penelope. Plus Devin Spencer (who greeted Papaw in heaven), as did Dick’s parents, brother-in-law Raymond Chamberlain and best friend Skip Crull.
He was a member of the Congregational Christian Church, where he was saved, baptized and married.
The family requests you write a quick note relaying your favorite memory, fun story or blessing that Dick brought to your life to be placed in a “Blessing/Memory Box” at the calling/celebration of life, to be enjoyed by the family later.
Calling will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Congregational Christian Church in Darlington. A private family service and internment will follow. The service will be recorded and uploaded to the Congregational Christian Church of Darlington YouTube site, for those unable to attend.
Due to the virus, the family asks that you honor and respect the lives of others by wearing mask and social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory can be made to the Darlington Covered Bridge in care of the town office or the Congregational Christian Church, P.O. Box 7, Darlington, for the Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Ministry.
Online condolences and memories may be made at www.huntandson.com.
