With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Gary Ames. Born in Pincher Creek, AB. to Charlotte and Albert Ames on May 23, 1949, Gary passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on January 23, 2019 at the Pincher Creek Hospital.
Gary grew up in Pincher Creek playing various sports, but his true passion was baseball, Gary was an avid ball player. Following high school, Gary went to SAIT and then joined Ames Insurance in the mid-70’s, helping many in his community.
Gary married in 1972 to Debbie, together they had their children Jeremy and Christopher and raised them in the Pincher Creek Area.
He later met Laraine Hall and Gary welcomed Tory, Trevor, Trina, and Tammy into his life.
Gary married Kathy McRae and they spent many happy years together until Kathy’s passing in 2015.
While he made many trips to the States and fishing on the west coast, Gary was most happy in southwestern Alberta. He was an avid outdoorsman and could be found hunting, fishing, camping, and going for drives in the Castle Mountain area on any given weekend (before the government turned it into a park!). That love was passed on to his family and numerous friends, and countless stories abound of their adventures. In recent years, he could be found at the Saturday Meat Draws at the Legion.
Gary is survived by his son Jeremy, daughter-in-law Jodi, and his grandchildren Lane and Cade, sister Donna, niece Michelle (DJ, Emily, and Grayson), nephew Tony (Robyn and Braeden), and special extended family Kandus and Jesse Hall. He is predeceased by parents Albert and Charlotte, son Christopher, wife Kathy, brother-in-law Dave, and stepson Tory.
A celebration of life will take place on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at the Vertical Church in Pincher Creek at 1:00pm followed by a gathering at the Legion. Donations can be made to STARS Air Ambulance or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gary Ames May 23 1949 January 23 2019 (age 69)..
Death notice for the town of: Fort-Macleod, Province: Alberta
I am so very glad Gary and I had an opportunity to reconnect at our 50th year MHHS reunion in 2016. I had no idea he was dealing with cancer. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
We were PC schoolmates from the first day of grade one to the last day of grade twelve. Whenever the class had to “line up in alphabetical order” it was always the two of us at the head of the line – Ames and Beer !! Whether it was for immunization shots or a fire drill there we were running hazard for everyone else!.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Godspeed Gary.
Betty (Beer) Hildreth