Richard Eugene Ammon, Jr, 81, of Winter Park, Florida passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Monday May 7, 2018. Funeral services will be held at Aloma United Methodist Church (3045 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL.) on Friday, May 11, 2018. There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. – 12pm. The Memorial Service starts at 12 pm and a reception in Fellowship Hall will follow. All are welcome. He will be laid to rest next to his brother at Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City Indiana, on Friday May 18, 2018. This service is for family only.
Richard was born on July 16, 1936 to Richard Eugene Ammon, Sr. and Evelyn Haines in Cambridge City, Indiana. He is survived by his second wife, Sheila, daughters Debra (John) Lobley and Pamela Ammon; bonus children Sandy (Delbert) Groves; Michael (Collette) Toner; Marla (Greg) Bevan; and Cliff (Vickie) Toner. Also surviving are his Grandchildren Kara, Jonathan, and Hanna Lobley; James, Nic, Seth and Nathan Groves; Sean and Scott Toner; and Alana and Ansley Bevan. He is also survived by his great Grandchildren Charles and William Harris; and Taylor, Del and Haylee Groves. His three sisters Lou Ann Adkins, Lucille Ivey, Dotty Angi also survive him along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. His Father Richard Sr., Mother Evelyn, Step Mother Laverne, and Brothers Paul David Ammon and Gerald Ammon precede him in death.
Richard joined the United States Navy in January 1955 and served on 12 different ships and several land tours until he retired in 1974 as a Boiler Tender First Class. After retiring, he worked for Orange County as a plant operator and eventually transferred to the City of Orlando working at Iron Bridge Water Reclamation Facility. He retired from the City in December 1999.
After retiring, Richard became very active in the community and his church, Aloma United Methodist Church lending a hand wherever needed for many years. He was the principal force in gathering and maintaining the items used for the United Methodist Women’s Annual Rummage Sale as well as volunteering his time with the United Methodist Men’s Annual Christmas Tree Sale. In addition, he also drove a Big Red Bus for the Red Cross throughout the Central Florida area. If you ever needed to be dropped off or picked up at the Orlando International Airport or needed help moving, Richard was also the guy to call. He did it all!
One of his greatest passions in life was the U.S. Navy and more specifically, a ship he served on which turned into a floating museum in Baton Rouge LA, the USS KIDD (DD-661). For over 18 years, Richard drove from Florida to Baton Rouge for the Annual Field Day to maintain the Boiler Room quarters where he worked. He would re-paint and properly re-remark all of the gauges, doorways, and equipment with proper names and terminology so visitors to the ship knew exactly what everything was and how it operated when the ship was in use. He also took many family members with him throughout the years to let them experience this part of this life.
His other hobbies over the years included restoring antique clocks, antique cars, maintaining his yard, vegetable garden, and flowers as well as locating, contacting, and updating records and information of past shipmates for various ships he served on and even those he did not. He was recognized with honors and awards several times for his work in locating and gathering information no one had been able to find. He also stayed very involved in all events for his children and grandchildren.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission (USS KIDD DD-661). Please mail donations to: 305 South River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 and include a note For USS KIDD DD-661.
There will be a Graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City, IN on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM. with full Naval Honors. Arrangements are being handled by Marshall Erlewein Funeral Home in Dublin, Indiana.
