Gary Lowell Ames, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and great papa, went peacefully home to be with his Lord on January 20, 2026.
Gary was born on January 8, 1936 in Portland, Oregon to Vernon L. Ames and Velva L. Ames of Estacada.
He attended Estacada Public Schools from 1st grade through High School and Lettered in Baseball and Basketball.
Gary served in the National Guard twice, his first enlistment concluded with an honorable discharged as an E5 Sergeant in 1956. In 1959 he was commissioned as an officer in the National Guard and received an honorable discharge in 1964 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Gary married Eldonna on June 8, 1956 and celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in 2025. Gary graduated from OSU with a degree in Forestry in 1960 and began a career that would span several decades working for the USFS on the Siuslaw, Mt. Hood and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. During his career he was called upon to help fight forest fires and even spent time in the blast zone of Mt. St. Helens helping to study the recovery of the devastated areas. After retiring from the USFS he would later begin a second career working for the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Gary's only child Ross was born April 1962 in Newport, Oregon.
Throughout his life he was active in church and was a frequent volunteer at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp in Cloverdale, Oregon. He also served on the Board of Directors at the camp and the Cemetery Board in Estacada.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing, clamming, huckleberry picking, fixing wrecked cars, practical jokes and riding the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway. At various times he was also a beekeeper, logger, gardener, woodworker, Bonfire builder and mentor.
His love of the outdoors was only eclipsed by his love for his family and friends.
Gary is survived by his wife Eldonna, son Ross , Diane, granddaughter Rachel , Jared, grandson Christopher, and great granddaughters Callie and Evelyn.