Richard Lawrence Ambs

Richard Lawrence Ambs of Clark Lake passed away at the age of 77 on December 6 at Henry Ford Allegiance Health.  Richard’s wife, Joan (Joanne), and their three sons, Andrew Lawrence Ambs, Aaron Stephen Boatin (Courtney) and Ryan Richard Ambs (Katie) were with him during his final moments of life.  Prior to his passing, Richard received Last Rites from Fr. Tim MacDonald with his wife, sons, daughter-in-law Courtney and his beloved grandchildren, Jacob Aaron Boatin and Anna Irene Boatin, by his side. 

Richard, also known as Dick or Richie, was born in Jackson, MI on March 20, 1942 to parents, Helen Irene (Noon) Ambs and Lawrence Clarence Ambs, who have proceeded him in death.  His older brother, Philip Andrew Ambs (Kathleen) also sadly proceeded him in death.  He is survived by a beloved sister, Florence Anne (Ambs) Cushman and brother, Louis Joseph Ambs (Michele).  He enjoyed his three nephews, Patrick Robert Ambs (Kelleigh), Michael Cullin Ambs (Shelby), and Alexander Joseph Ambs.  Richard also loved Joan’s five siblings, their spouses and children like his own family.  His in-laws, Robert Weston Waite and Janet Kathryn (Pray) Waite, proceeded him in death. 

Richard was a loving, caring and supportive husband and father.  He and Joan shared 40 years of marriage filled with wonderful family memories and traditions that will be treasured forever.  Their sons loved him immensely and so admired the man he was.  All of Richard’s great qualities have been passed down and instilled in their sons as they grew into the men they are today.  Richard was extremely proud of his sons.

Over the years, Richard believed in giving back to his community.  He was a member of the Jaycees, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Disability Connections organization.  For 25 years he was the Executive Director of the Jackson County Medical Society.

Once Richard and Joan retired from being the owners of Ambs Call Center (now owned by their sons), they traveled in their motorcoach throughout the country and spent winters in Florida at the RiverBend Motorcoach Resort near Fort Myers.  They spent time in Tennessee at Tellico Village on Tellico Lake located in Loudon, TN.  They belonged to the Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club and liked driving the mountain roads in their 55 T-Bird.  When home at Clark Lake, they enjoyed watching all the lake activities, gardening, and maintaining a G-scale outdoor garden railroad together. 

Richard’s friends knew him as a person who honored a confidence, kept his promises, provided encouragement and laughed easily.  He liked playing jokes on those very friends who loved him.  There were nuns at St. John High School who shook their heads at this creative joker.  In spite of this fun-loving nature, he did receive a Business Degree from Eastern Michigan University.

We will say farewell to Richard on Wednesday, December 18 at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church on Carlton Blvd. in Jackson, MI.  Mass, officiated by Fr. Tim MacDonald, will be at 11:00 a.m.  A Rosary will be said at 9:30 a.m. and visitation held from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers at the church, please consider a donation to the Cascades Humane Society or Lumen Christi Catholic School.

Arrangements are being entrusted to Watson Funeral Chapel of Jackson, MI.

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