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JACOB JOHN AMES, soldier at the Torrance Corps, was promoted to Glory unexpectedly on August 18, 2001. He was born on September 17, 1919 in Niagara Falls, NY.
Jake was active in the Niagara Falls Corps, and always had a special love for the ministry of music, especially brass instruments.
In 1938 he married his childhood sweetheart, Alice Kirkman. The family relocated to California and became mainstays at the Inglewood Corps. Here, and later at the Torrance Corps, Jake served faithfully in many roles and held several local officer positions, including young people’s bandmaster, corps sergeant major, and quartermaster.
Jake was a WWII veteran. In 1981, he retired as director of operations and maintenance for the Palos Verdes School District. After retirement, he volunteered at the Torrance Corps, maintaining the building and grounds and counting kettle money each Christmas.
This year, Jake and Alice were honored with the So. California Salvationist in Action award.
Jake leaves behind his wife Alice, sons Jack Ames and Major Jerry Ames, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Major Don Gilger conducted the service of celebration at the Torrance Corps. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a gift be made to the Torrance Corps Jake Ames Memorial to support the junior band program. The corps’ address is 4223 Emerald St., Torrance, CA 90503
MILDRED MCLENA LARGENT, soldier at the Long Beach Corps, was promoted to Glory on April 24, 2001 in La Mirada, CA. She was born in Anderson, IN on June 22, 1903.
When Mildred was very young, her family moved to Champagne, IL. She joined The Salvation Army in 1919, where she met and married Dewey Largent. Their union was blessed with three daughters and one son.
In 1940 the family moved to CA and joined the Compton Corps. Mildred’s great loves were Home League and standing at the kettles. She was Home League secretary at the Compton and Long Beach Corps. She stood kettles in Long Beach until her health failed when she was 70 years old. She was proud of her 28 years’ worth of service pins.
Mildred was almost 98 years old when she was promoted to glory. Major Barbara Nickerson conducted the service of celebration. Family members from many generations participated: her daughter, Donna Sikes, gave the eulogy; David Payne, her grandson-in-law, gave the message; great-grandson Chad Payne spoke at the graveside; and great-great-grandson Michael Ferrell read a poem.
Mildred leaves behind her three daughters, Doris Backus, Barbara Williams, and Donna Sikes, and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to Donna Sikes, 41178 Vincennes Ct., Murrieta, CA 92562.
ENVOY EARL COMPTON, a long time Salvationist and soldier of the Eureka Corps, was promoted to Glory on August 26, 2001 from Eureka, CA. He was born on August 12, 1927 in Meadville, PA.
Earl’s first contact with The Salvation Army was in 1934 when a food basket was placed at the door of the family’s house. This kindness brought an entire family to the Army.
Earl moved to Pittsburgh, PA, following his marriage to Sarah (Sally) Winton, and was active in the corps, holding positions including YPSM and CSM. During this time he worked at the Western Pennsylvania DHQ as program consultant.
In 1981 Earl and his family moved to Eureka, CA, where he was the resident manager of the Silvercrest. He continued his local officership as CSM at the corps for another 18 years.
Earl is survived by his wife Sally, two sons, Dave and Tom, and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Major Gerry Hood, and nephew Major Ken E. Hood.
Captain David Yardley conducted the memorial service.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to: Sally Compton, 3020 S. Street, Eureka, CA 95501; Majors Gerry and Les Hood, 7400 Carriage Dr., Citrus Heights, CA 95621; and Majors Ken and Debbie Hood, 862 Maranta Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087.
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