Obituary of Lawrence John Ames

Lawrence J. Ames (Larry) – 60, of Lackawaxen, PA passed unexpectedly on September 20, 2017. Born in Bad Cannstatt, Germany on May 31, 1957, Larry was the son of the late June Rowbottom Almes and the late Thomas L. Almes.

Larry attended High School in Lockhaven, PA. He went on to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at MIT, Larry signed up in the Army ROTC program in 1975.

Post graduation, Larry continued his military career between 1979 and 1983 wherein he was a graduate of Ranger and Airborne Schools. As a US Army Captain, Larry commanded Infantry and Cavalry units. Larry's last assignment was in Fulda Germany where he commanded a border camp that conducted patrols of the East-West Interzonal German Border, "The Iron Curtain". Larry was in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). The time Larry spent in the ACR with his colleagues was a significant and enjoyable time and experience in his life.  After the completion of his military career, Larry attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 1985.

Larry went on to have a successful business career owning and managing many companies, but he is most remembered for his personal life's mission to cultivate authenticity, kindness, humor and wisdom within his family, and everyone he met. He led by example; he was lighthearted enough to laugh at himself, selfless enough to put others before him, and confident enough in himself to be humble. Anyone who had the honor of knowing Larry will agree that when you were with him, it was as if you were the only person on the planet that mattered. He was an exceptionally attentive listener, and always offered insightful, honest, and loving guidance to those around him. The essence of Larry cannot be put into words; instead, we all feel him in our hearts.

Among his survivors are his fiancée, Diana Newmier; his three sons, Patrick "Keaghan" Ames, Joseph "Connor" Ames, and John "Griffin" Ames; Keaghan's fiancée, Kelsey Dean; his future daughter Andria Jansen, and son-in-law, Ciaran Kane; and his future grandchildren, Olivia 15, Leah 13, Erik 11, and Donnchadh 2. Other survivors include his brother Douglas Almes, and his family.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church Street, Hawley, PA on Saturday, September 30th at 11:00 a.m. Visitation hours: Friday, September 29th from 6-9 p.m. and again on Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Gifts may be made in memory of Larry Ames to his favorite charities: Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org, Big Brothers and Sisters at http://www.bbbs.org,  or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at https://www.cff.org.