Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Percy Franklin Ames, Jr., 86, Keokuk

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Percy Franklin “Pooch” Ames Jr., 86 of Keokuk, IA died Tuesday, November 5, 2019 surrounded by his family.

     He was born September 6, 1933 in Dekoven, KY the son of Percy Franklin and Martha Kean Ames.  On August 2, 1952 he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Hayden in Keokuk.  She preceded him in death on November 26, 1981.

Percy was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served in Germany during Peace Time.

AMES

At the age of sixteen, Percy began his carpentry career with his two brothers, Wendell and Kay Ames. He worked alongside his brothers as a laborer and carpenter for several years. He then worked for Leon Hutcherson for twenty-five years as a carpenter. After that, went to work at Gate City Glass Company as a glazier. He later opened up his own residential and commercial construction company where he had his two close friends, Lester Piersee and Robert “Bob” Neff alongside of him. He then worked in construction with his son Jamie Ames. This took him to his retirement, but he still enjoyed working alongside his son, Wes at Ames Contracting for many years.

     Percy enjoyed spending time outdoors mowing grass. He loved baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan but, his favorite player was Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs.  Most of all, Percy enjoyed the time he spent with his family.  He was a faithful fan of all his grandchildren’s activities and sporting events, especially baseball and softball games.

     He is survived by two sons, Milton (Tricia) Ames of Keosauqua, IA and Wesley (Tammy) Ames of Keokuk, nine grandchildren, Brandon (Rebecca) Ames, Nathan (Lacy) Ames, Jill (Bill) Seabold, Jake (Michelle) Ames, Matt (Ashley) Ames, Amy (Zack) Chase, Ashley Ames, Brandt Ames and Kaci Ames, twenty-four great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, Velda (Don) Ames Templeton of Sturgis,  KY and Ethel “Ginny” Ames Barzilla of Kalamazoo, MI, many nieces and nephews and a special friend, who was considered a son, Barry Smith of CO.

     Besides his wife Mary Lou, he was also preceded in death by one daughter, Christina Ames, two sons, Michael Ames and Jamie Ames, six brothers, Stanley Ames, Wendel Ames, Kenny Ames, Carroll Ames, Kay Ames and Wesley “Suz” Ames, five sisters, Ruby Ames Lulack, Gloria Ames Dennis, Emma Ames Holland, Bonnie “Jane” Ames Wilke and Wanda Ames Lombard and one great-grandchild, Gunther Ames and one great-great-grandchild, Kymberly MaKenna Howell and his special friend, Hazel Morehouse of seventeen years.

     A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, at the New Testament Christian Church with Pastor Derek Olsen officiating.  Burial with military rites will be in the Keokuk National Cemetery at a later date.  

     Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Sunday at the church with family meeting with friends at that time.  

     Memorials may be made to the Keokuk High School Athletics Department. 

     Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com

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