George R Ames

George Ames, age 92 of Olympia, Washington passed away at his family home with his loved ones by his side. Born on December 31, 1924 in Olympia Washington to George Ruben and Oval Ames. The oldest of nine children. He was the second generation born and raised here in the Olympia area.

After graduating from Olympia High School, he enter the Army and served in the South Pacific during WW2 as a Staff Sargent. After returning home he worked at the Olympia Maritime Fleet for a short while. George proudly worked and retired from the Olympia Brewing Company after thirty plus years.

He married Madge Ames (Turner) on May 1,1947. On May 1, 2017 George and Madge celebrated 70 wonderful years of marriage with family and friends. They raised four sons, Ken (Jane), Wes (Vicki), Andy (Lori) all of Olympia and Bill(Vera) of Kirkland. They had 12 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Marian and Lyle Ames , two sisters Imogene Michaels and Adda Shipman, a grandson, Greg Ames and granddaughter, Erin Ames.

George's passion in life was working his farm. He bought and cleared his land with his wife and sons. He took pride in raising livestock and extensive gardens which he always generously shared with family and friends. In the 1970's he started planting Christmas Trees which became well known as Ames Christmas Tree Farm. Over the last 47 years The Ames Christmas Tree Farm became a special tradition for many returning families which warmed George's heart from year to year.

He was an avid outdoors-man; enjoying hunting and fishing. Many memorable family vacation were centered around these adventures.

George and Madge belonged to The Do Si Do Square Dance club for many decades. Early in the1960's, their love of Square dancing and the desire to provide a local gathering place, led them to donate land to The Square Dance Association. Many people including his family donated time and materials to this project. When it was completed, it was humorously named: Lac-a Do Hall, because it was

“built by team effort” and a “lack of dough”.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.