Jesse Everett Ament

Jesse Everett Ament, of Aurora, Missouri died Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in St. John's Hospital, in Springfield, Mo. Born in Couch, Missouri on September 10, 1927, he was said to have been less than one year old when he took his first steps holding on to the collar of his grand-dad's hunting dog. His love for hunting grew from there, and some of his happiest days were spent in the fields with his dogs. He was an avid hunter, field trial participant, and dog trainer. On December 29, 1947, Jesse Everett Ament married his love, Evalyn Marie Ament, in Mammouth Springs, Arkansas. They had two children, Shirley Marie and Steve Everett, but before Everett had kids he had horses. His love for horses began as a boy, as it was his only form of transportation. Everett rode a horse to school. He had a passion for sharing his love and knowledge of horses. He founded Making a Difference Riding Center, a volunteer organization that educated local children about the care and training of horses, and their use in therapy for the disabled. Everett was active in the community and spent 16 years as a Lawrence County Commissioner. He was the recipient of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Top Dawg Award, in 1999, and the Community Service Award, in 2001. Everett was a deacon in the First Baptist Church, in Aurora. If he was not spending time with his family at the farm, he was with his church family that he loved so dearly. Everett began playing music as a young man, and in his later years found music again. He spent time playing the mandolin with friends all over the area. Everett is survived by his wife of 63 years, Evalyn Marie Ament; and their daughter, Shirley Marie Gilbert, of Aurora, Mo. He was preceded in death by their son, Steve Everett Ament, of Aurora, Mo. He is survived by his grandchildren, Kimberly Linnea Chronister, Kerry Lynn Turner, both of Springfield, Mo., Jason Everett Ament, of San Francisco, Calif., and Colby Richard Lawson, of St. Louis, Mo; his great-grandchildren, Zachary Tyler Christensen, of Aurora, Mo., Lincoln Tyler Chronister, of Springfield, Mo., Wolfgang Axl Turner and Vegas Kiki Turner, of Springfield, and Jack Richard Lawson, of St. Louis, Mo. He is also survived by the Miller family, including brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Everett touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. Visitation will be held Friday, July 2, 2010, at 6 p.m., in Peterson Funeral Home, Aurora, Mo. Services will be held Saturday, July 3, 2010, at 4 p.m., in the First Baptist Church of Aurora.