Harry Craig Ambrose (1952-2004)

AMBROSE, MCGRATH, KINSEY, HAMMOND

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/18/2008 at 21:07:51

Nevada Journal, Nevada, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, April 15, 2004.

June 5, 1952, to April 8, 2004

Harry Craig Ambrose, 51, of the USA Health Care Center in Urbandale, Iowa and formerly of Nevada, Iowa, died on Thursday, April 8, 2004 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa from complications of diabetes after a lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Nevada with Pastor Steve Williams officiating. Burial of the cremains will be held at 4:30 P.M. on April 20th in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery.

He was born on June 5, 1952 in Nevada, Iowa to Phyllis (McGrath) and Harry Glover Ambrose. Craig grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1970 as a class valedictorian and member of the National Honor Society. He then attended Drake University; St. Olaf College in St. Olaf, MN; Simpson College and Iowa State University, where he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Administration. Following his education, he returned to Nevada and became involved in the family clothing business. He and his father later shared in the antique and refinishing business at Ambrose's, from which he actively pursued his interest in antique quilts. He was considered a national authority for Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide. Craig was the self-published author of The Picture Book and Price Guide to Antique American Quilts, which was sold all over the country. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Nevada. Among Craig's other talents was vocal music, for which he received professional training at Simpson College and shared with his church and community. During the late 1960's and 1970's, he was also well-known in the Nevada area as an outstanding golfer and was a Club champion at Indian Creek Country Club.

Craig is survived by his brother, Mark McGrath Ambrose and sister-in-law, Mary Ambrose of Nevada; a niece, Emily Ambrose of Iowa City; an aunt, Harriette Kinsey of Nevada; his stepmother, Jennifer Ambrose of McCallsburg; and four cousins. He is also survived by good friends Marlon Mormann and Lela Gilbert, both of Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis (1983), father, Glover (1994) and aunt, Shirley Hammond (2003) of Charlottesville, VA.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established and may be directed to his brother, Mark Ambrose, 721 7th Street, Nevada, Iowa.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada.