Listen to this article
Recently Retired
by
Majors Jerry and Donna Ames
At a recent luncheon at the new Kroc Center in Salem, Ore., Majors Jerry and Donna Ames celebrated 31 years each of service as Salvation Army officers. Their retirement followed the weekend opening and dedication of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. Divisional Leaders Majors Donald and Arvilla Hostetler presented their retirement certificates, and many of their family and friends joined in the celebration.
Jerry Ames and Donna Waterfield were raised in The Salvation Army at the Inglewood, Calif., corps. They were married in 1975 and have two children, Jason and Heather. Answering God’s call, they entered the College for Officer Training in 1976 and were commissioned as part of the Disciples of Jesus Session in 1978. Their first two appointments were as corps officers in San Pedro and Van Nuys, Calif.
Subsequent assignments included the Southwest, Northwest and Intermountain divisional headquarters where Jerry was involved in finance and business and Donna in program ministries. In 1996 Jerry was appointed first as divisional secretary and then general secretary of the Southern California Division and Donna as territorial evangelism, cross-cultural and adult programs secretary at territorial headquarters. In 1998 Donna became the education and training officer for Southern California.
The Ames then served at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont—Jerry as director of business administration and Donna as director of personal development and curriculum. Following an assignment in the Southwest Division, in 2006 the Ames were appointed to Salem, Ore., as corps officers with responsibility for overseeing construction of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.
In post-retirement service they will continue as corps officers of the Salem Kroc Corps. Major Jerry is also the Marion and Polk County coordinator, and Major Donna is the Kroc Center executive director.