Leo A. Ames

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Leo Arwin Ames, age 87, of Altonah and Duchesne, the husband of Erma Ames and the late Shirley Iorg Ames, passed away August 9, 2024, at the Villa surrounded by loved ones. 

 He was born August 12, 1936, in Altonah, Utah in the old Glen Ames house to Dallas O. and Arda Johansen Ames. He was the second of 3 children and the only boy. He was his mom's pride and joy.

 Leo grew up in Altonah on the family farm and worked hard at an early age. He learned to work horses, cut hay with a team, and get up early to milk the cows by hand. He attended the Altonah school until 6th grade when they started bussing students from Altonah to Altamont. He was active in sports and FFA. At a field day with neighboring schools, he saw Shirley Ann Iorg and said, "I'm going to marry that girl". They married on April 30, 1953. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on March 20, 1962. They were married for 57 years. Together they had five children. She died on August 29, 2010.

 Leo always worked hard for his family. He worked as a truck driver from the ages of 18 to 72, except for a brief stint laying brick with Orlan Oman. He hauled canned milk, tank milk, phosphate, gas, crude oil out of the Escalante Field and the Uintah Basin field, sand for the Stillwater Dam. He also hauled acid to a nuclear power plant in Washington State and missile fuel from Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi to VanBurg Air Force Base in California. While he was employed by W.S. HatchCo he received many safety awards. He received a plaque from Mack Truck for driving a million miles without a chargeable accident. 

 In 1971, Leo bought his parents' ranch. He loved his farm, his cows, changing water, and seeing his fields green. He was irrigating on the farm a few days before his death. He loved living in Altonah. His neighbors were all very special to him. Leo was an honest man. He made many friends wherever he went. 

 When he wasn't driving, or farming, he was working with his thoroughbred race horses. He had horses race in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. He even had a few that were winners. His favorites were Lucky Morning, Sailing Sarah, Precious Lil, and Altonah Cat. He loved having friends and family come watch his horses run.

 Leo never had a lot, but what he did have he was always willing to give to help someone in need. He was known by his family for throwing an "Ames fit" on occasion and giving the best bear hugs always, even at the end. 

 Later in life, Leo met Erma Mayhew at a dance and about a week later, on October 19, 2012, they eloped in Vernal, Utah. Erma brought new life to Leo. They shared almost 12 years together. Leo loved Erma and her family. 

 Leo is survived by his wife Erma, Duchesne; his children, Steven (Laurie) Ames, Altonah; Teresa (Ken) Burdick, Roosevelt; Leslie (Dean) Thacker, Roosevelt; daughter-in-law Sandy Ames, Bluebell; sister Paula Dee Bartholomew, Seattle, Washington; step-children Dawnette Browning, Duchesne; DeAnn (Steve) Carter, Elk Ridge, Utah; Darla (Chuck) Hansen, Murray, Utah; and Glenna Mayhew, Duchesne; 19 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Shirley; son, Bryan Ames, daughter, Lily Allred, son-in-law Chip Allred, granddaughter, Lacey Ames, sister Anna Fae Wirthlin, brother-in-law Jack Wirthlin, and Gary Jessen and Reay Jessen, the brothers he never had. 

 Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mountain Home Chapel. There will be a viewing at the church on Thursday from 6-7 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30-10:45 a.m.

 Burial will be in the Altonah Cemetery.