Judith Ann Ames

Judith Ann Ames was born February 13, 1944 to Dorothy and Robert Laramey in Kansas. At that time, her father, Robert, was serving his country as a WWII aircraft maintenance officer in Natal, Brazil; a launching base for U.S. planes sent to Africa. Dorothy, was finishing her college degree and certification as a Registered Nurse. Grandparents, “Meme and Poppy” Fieth moved to Kansas City so that Dorothy could complete her education. Robert returned from Brazil, and held Judy for the first time when she was 14 months old. After the war, the family moved to Colorado and Robert launched his architectural career. The only post war housing they could find was in Idaho Springs. When sister Pat was born, the family was living in a quonset hut in north Denver. When brother Mark was born, the family lived in east Denver. Most of Judy’s childhood years were spent in Wheat Ridge, in a home designed by her father, and built by her mother and father. After graduating from Wheat Ridge High School, Judy attended Colorado University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English, along with a teaching degree. It was during her college years that Judy accepted Jesus as her Savior. Her faith was very important to her throughout her life and had a great impact on other members of her family. Her first teaching contract took her to the small mining town of Tonopah, NV. She met Roger Ames, a field geologist. Judy and Roger were married in Wheat Ridge, CO on June 15, 1968. Judy and Roger moved to Battle Mountain, NV. The nearest hospital was 90 miles away, where their only son, Richard (Rick) was born March 16, 1972. Judy and sister Pat (living in Colorado) were pregnant at the same time and delivered sons just two days apart. Judy was elated to be a mother and cherished that role. Roger’s geology career required that the family move frequently. Over the span of their 41-year marriage, they lived in Nevada, Montana, California, and Arizona. The frequent moves made it difficult for Judy to obtain full time teaching contracts. As a result, most of her teaching career gravitated to substitute assignments, many of them long-term. Judy was highly rated because of her willingness to “go the extra mile” and dedication to providing innovative and quality learning experiences. She taught in Nevada, Montana, Colorado, and Arizona. One of the family's favorite place to live was in Missoula, MT. They sold their home and purchased a farm in the Bitterroot Valley. The farm was purchased jointly with 2 other couples, with the purpose of providing a place to minister and assist troubled teens. That purpose never materialized, but the farm provided many adventures for the “city folk”. Judy had a passion for gardening. They grew their own fruits, vegetables, and crops; and also learned to raise cattle, goats, chickens and boarded horses. Bee-keeping; re-capturing independently minded cows that meandered far and wide; and a tortoise that escaped by climbing up a slide and tumbling over a fence added to the experiences. This was all in the foreground of the Bitter Root Mountains. One of Judy’s favorite art pieces was of that scenery, painted by a friend. Another fond time was when Roger, Judy, and Rick lived in Lakewood, CO. It was the only time when their family lived in proximity to her parents, siblings, and Rick’s cousins. In more recent years the stories about Rick and his cousins’ escapades in nearby ditches and drainage pipes have surfaced. Judy’s favorite pet, Yoshi, a huge, furry, very loving Akita was important part of their time in Lakewood. Judy and Roger provided foster care to 2 boys while in Lakewood. Judy and Roger fell in love with the boys, and were very sad when they left. It was a good time of family connection. Judy and Roger were separated for an extended time when Roger and a business partner moved to Phoenix (on a very limited budget) to pursue commercial investment opportunities (land development, mining, etc.) Judy remained with her parents in the Wheat Ridge house, continuing her substitute teaching and assisting her aging parents with their large yard and flower beds. Roger and Judy re-united in the Phoenix, AZ area. Roger transitioned from field geology and mining to commercial thermal energy projects. In Phoenix, Judy had many of her greatest desires being fulfilled as she had precious time with Roger who was not traveling all the time, and many wonderful memories being made with visits from her grandchildren. She loved time with Rick and his family. While in Arizona, as a teacher Judy told a story of visiting a student’s home out in the desert. Directions included driving a number of miles to the south, turning at the big tree standing by itself, going for additional miles, and looking for a fence. The student lived in an impoverished district with a high Indian population. She was trying to get parents more involved with helping students to read at home. She personally owned an extensive library of grade appropriate books that she checked out to her students to nurture reading. July retired from teaching while in Arizona. In 2010 Roger died unexpectedly from a heart attack. They were happily married for 41 years. Many times she expressed how good God was in helping her to continue after Roger’s death. Judy relocated to Las Vegas, NV to be with her son and grandchildren. While in Las Vegas, her health began to decline. She lived in Las Vegas for almost a decade as the grandchildren grew up. She was very involved in their lives, helping tutor one of them as well. About 2 years ago, several serious health challenges occurred, including a great loss in vision with macular degeneration, diabetes, dialysis, and short-term memory loss Rick moved in with her as her caretaker. Having Rick there made life better for Judy and his presence brought Judy much comfort and security. Rick was her anchor and she cherished that time with him, as did he with her. She handled all of it with patience and grace. In the spring of 2019, she and Rick moved to Arvada, CO, so that she could renew contact with siblings, nieces and nephews. That additional support became very necessary, as her health took a critical turn. She developed a bacterial infection in her blood, aortic heart valve, and brain. The family was very thankful to have had the time with her and to be able to help her through her final days on Earth. Many times she expressed how thankful she was for her faith to help her through the difficulties, and that she was not afraid to die, but she also wasn’t in any hurry to go. She relocated to Heaven on October 2, 2019. She is survived by her son, Richard Ames; 3 grandchildren, Alexis, Brittany, and Seth Ames; a sister, Pat Barhite and husband Dave; and a brother, Mark Laramey.