James was called home by his Heavenly Father on Saturday February 12, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie and is survived by his sister Dorothy, brother Bobby and his children, Timothy (Cheryl), Wendy (Shaun), and Kevin (Lisa), Grandchildren, Meredith, Emily, Jacob and Brian.
James served his country in the Army’s Hell On Wheels 2nd Armored Division, and spent time deployed in Germany before meeting the love of his life, Bonnie, and settling in Wisconsin. Their love took them to Arizona, where they continued raising their kids and welcomed their grandchildren. A very strong, kind and gentle man who loved his family and immersed himself in their lives.
A lover of travel, he enjoyed visiting with friends and family near and far, spreading his cheer with a smile. James will be forever missed by all who love him. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Valley in the name of James Irick. Memorial service to be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
The day we reconnected with Jim and Bonnie was the best day of our lives. We had lost track when they moved out of Wisconsin. The highlight was going out to visit them and when they came back to Wisconsin. We will always love you and miss you.
Jim and Bonnie were Wonderful .
They Accomplished a lot in their Lives and had a lot to be proud of.
We will never forget them. Love to Them and their Children.
Cousin Barbara & Family
James “Hump” Ammons
March 3, 2022 at 2:02 am
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So sad to learn this, heart broken really. I have owed him a call for some time now and have tried several times, most recently hearing that the number is no longer available via recording. He and I were at Ft. Hood, TX in the 2nd Armored Division, “Hell on Wheels” at the same time in 1958-1959, I have no recollection of meeting him there but we later talked of shared experiences, We shipped out at the same time on the same troop ship (I think) the U.S.S. Patch and were attached to different units. We were both sent to the 4th Armored Division NCO academy in October of 1960 where we each had a bit of fame or infamy which we shared later. In 1961 in the spring we reported for duty with the 1st Infantry Division “Big Red One” as drill sergeants for basic training, There were four of us, newly minted Sargeants assigned to the same company with no recruits to train so we had it easy for a while. Finally the army patched together a bunch of misfits, made up squads and platoons of the misfits and sent us to Camp Perry where we had drawn detail to represent the U.S. Army in an all services duty of range detail for the NRA shooting matches. We were housed in a former POW Camp where we had nice barracks right on the edge of the Great Lakes. That ended quickly with Berlin Crisis II when we were rushed off the ranges, boarded on a train and scooted back to Ft. Riley, KS to greet recruits who had received all or most of their first 8 weeks of basic training and rush them through advanced infantry training in half the normal alloted time. It was intence to say the least. Early on we were notified that our enlistments which were due to end in late October were extended to “For The Duration”. We did complete that cycle of advanced infantry training then were told we were no longer a basic training cadre were upgraded to combat ready and the recruits we had just trained were our soldiers. The four of us were iNseparable and went just about everywhere together. Rocky and I had cars when we arrived but Rocky (Foster) and I (Hump) both wrecked our cars the first weekend. He did not replace his but I got another. Jim and I went to Arkansas City, KS where a lifelong friend had made a date for me with one of her Kansas friends and Jim dated my lifelong friend, Mary Lou. That did not work out for either of us but it was fun anyway. Later Jim wanted to go home and I volunteered to use my car and we could share the driving so we could make the trip in just a few days and not miss any duty. I met his family and fiancee on that trip. She later visited with us when she was in Dallas on a trip to a dog show then we met up again a few years later when my wife and I visited them in AZ. Bonnie and my wife and I communicated via computer for a long time right up to her unepected passing. Jim and I had been planning a grand tour trip again up to KS and on to Wisconsin and beyond. He and a friend stopped by on a trip back to his home only a few years ago and we were still talking about the trip. Sadly my wife’s health has kept me homebound as has my own. I’m just about a year older or was but was game for the trip if we could have figured out how to handle Janet’shealth problems. Again so sad and agree that we have lost a great man. My condolences to his family and friends.
Jim was a life long family friend who we will miss. The humor between him and Cousin Bonnie was Saturday Night Live worthy! Just thinking of them brings a smiles! We always enjoyed visiting them in Mesa or when they came to hike and sightsee in the Colorado Rocky Mountains! RIP Jim.