Edward Lee Ames Sr., age 90, passed from this life on Monday, November 17th, 2025, in Burleson, TX. Ed was born on April 1st, 1935, in Elmira, NY, to the late William and Hazel Ames. Growing up in Bennettsburg and Burdett, NY, with 4 siblings, he graduated from Watkins Glen Central High School in 1955. He worked and raised his family in Watkins Glen, where he continued to reside until he moved to Harrisburg, NC, and eventually Burleson, TX.
Having been bitten by the auto racing bug at age 13 when the first sports car races came to the streets of Watkins Glen, Ed was a lifelong fan of many forms of motor racing, but NASCAR was his favorite. He raced Go Karts in his early years and worked as a mechanic for Swarthout's Garage and The Ford Garage in Watkins Glen, before joining Central Asphalt. He was proud of his work and loved the camaraderie and brotherhood of the company. Ed retired from Central Asphalt after 38 years of dedicated service.
In retirement, he made every effort to gather his family for holidays, birthdays, picnics, boating, racing, and just goofing around. Prior to wife Sandy's passing, NASCAR at the Glen, Vintage Grand Prix weekends, and traveling to different tracks in their RV or camping around the Finger Lakes were a shared passion and annual ritual for many years. He enjoyed traveling, but home with family was the best.
He was pre-deceased by wife, Sandra Ames; parents William and Hazel Ames; brothers William, Robert, Richard, and Daniel Ames; sister-in-law Marie Ames; brother-in-law Richard Bradley; and step-children Kim Cherkis and Kevin Rudy.
He is survived by his children, Edward Ames (Melissa) of Crowley, TX; Susan Maccou (Alberto) of Myrtle Beach, SC; Pamela Ames (Tony Dempsey) of Rochester, NY; Mark Ames of Hood River, OR; and step-daughter Kay Rogers (Ty) of Watkins Glen, NY. He is also survived by sister Ann Bradley of Florida and sisters-in-law Connie Palmer of Horseheads, NY, and Anna Ames of NC. Surviving grandchildren are Dr. Elana Maccou, Manuel Maccou, Megan Olson (Michael), Shannon Williams (Jake), and Bridger and Lily Ames. Surviving step-grandchildren are Christin Bressett, Christopher Cherkis, Kyle Rogers, Kayla Rudy, and Andrew Rudy. Surviving great-grandchildren are Caleb, Felipe, Harrison, and Charlotte. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Montour Cemetery, Mill St, Montour Falls, NY. Vedder-Scott & Zinger Funeral Home of Montour Falls, NY, and Lucas Funeral Home of Burleson, TX, are handling the arrangements. Donations can be made to the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.