Leo Edwin Ames, a longtime resident of Moscow, Idaho, died unexpectedly Monday, May 17, 2004, after suffering a pulmonary embolism while at home with his wife of 50 years, Lela Talbott Ames and their son, Roger Ames.
An accomplished artist, graphic designer, editor and political activist, Ames spent the last year and a half pursuing a lifelong dream, plein air or open air style landscape painting. Ames said recently that he experienced his spirituality most through painting and music.
He was a tenor with the choir at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow on and off more than five decades as well as with the Idaho-Washington Concert Chorale for several years.
In 1995, Ames retired from the position of creative director and head of publications at the University of Idaho after more than 30 years of service.
In the early 1970s Ames was politically active in the UI Women's Caucus and was a leader in the establishment of affirmative action at the UI and the UI Women's Center. Ames remained active in the women's rights movement. In April, despite recovering from major surgery, Ames had the opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Women's Center with many of the people involved in its establishment.
As an undergraduate pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism at the UI, Ames met fellow student, Lela May Talbott. They were married in April 1954. The year prior Ames had made a momentous decision of a different sort and became a conscientious objector to the Korean War and spent two years in alternative service to his country. According to Lela Ames, his self-confidence was shaped in his first four years at Emerson Elementary, the small rural school near Heyburn, Idaho where Ames was one of four students in his grade. His love of painting also was kindled in Heyburn, at the high school where original works of art were permanently on display.
"He was always very good at pursuing the path he wanted," said Lela Ames.
Ames was born in Heyburn during a snowstorm on Feb. 14, 1933, to Geneva Wilcox Ames and Edwin Wright Ames. Growing up on his family's dairy farm fostered a lifelong love for the beauty of nature.
Survivors include his wife, Lela Ames of Moscow, Idaho; children, Julia Ames of Nassau, the Bahamas, Roger Ames of Moscow, and Lisa Ames Marineau of Tigard, Ore.; grandchildren are Michael Marineau, Caitlin Marineau, Nicholas Ames and Leta Ames; a sister, Donna Hetrick of Tacoma, Wash.; and brothers, Gerald Ames of Hatboro, Pa., and Lanny Ames of Kimberly, Idaho.
Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23 at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow with a reception to follow.
Remembrances can be made to the UI Campus Christian Center, the UI Women's Center or the First United Methodist Church of Moscow.
