David Paul “Davey” Ames, Jr.

David Paul “Davey” Ames, Jr., age 51, of Dubuque, IA, completed his earthly journey suddenly on October 8, 2025, at home.  To honor Davey’s life, a Celebration of Life for family and friends in the Dubuque area will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Jackson Park, 1500 Main Street in Dubuque.  A Celebration of Life for family and friends in the Rockford area will be held from 12:00-3:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Rockford Verdi Club, 782 North Madison Street in Rockford, IL.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving David’s family.

David was born on December 16, 1973, in Rockford, IL, a son to David P. Ames, Sr. and Rosemarie (Craddock) Ames.  He was surely gifted with a kind and gentle heart from the beginning.  The kind of heart we all wish those around us possessed, but sadly the exact ones which when walking through this broken world, often finds itself bearing deep bruises and scars which can never really heal.  David eventually found the love of his life, Toni M. Grubb and the two were united in marriage and blessed with three daughters of their own to love and nurture in their life together.  Sadly, Toni was called home ahead of David and the girls in 2021.  As many who knew him well, this wound would weigh heavily on his heart until he took his very last breath.  Those who have walked the aisles of Eagle’s Country Market downtown may fondly remember seeing Davey’s smiling face quite often.  He spent many years there bringing what joy he could to both co-workers and customers alike.

In his free-time, David savored the simple things in life most.  His cats were always by his side and his plants were truly a wonder to watch thrive.  He had such a green thumb that often friends and neighbors would bring him their ailing plants only to watch him bring them back to vibrant life in no time.  David was never one to turn down a little time with his fishing pole in hand whenever time allowed and when evening arrived, you could easily find him cooking up a delicious meal, especially his favorite and regular staple, “Pasta Sugo” when the mood struck him.  When the day was done and dinner had ended, David would often settle in for a relaxing night with a sincere and heartfelt movie to enjoy with his family right by his side as often as possible.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and could effortlessly deliver the perfect joke at a moment’s notice.  In his spare time, a little classic 80’s hair band music would fill the space and put a few scratch off tickets in front of him as well and life was good in Davey’s mind.  We are going to miss his love for the perfect candle, rainstorms, (and even snowstorms if you could imagine that), but we are forever grateful that David’s earthly health battles have now ceased.  His eternal reunion with his loved ones has to be a glorious one as he missed them so and we can only wait now to join them all again in time when the Lord calls us home also.  Thank you Davey for fighting the good fight when you could, for allowing your light to shine as brightly as this world would permit, and for reminding us all that life is a precious journey that we must do our best to never take for granted as each day is undeniably a gift.  May the Lord bless you and keep you safe and secure in His loving arms until we get to see your joyful smile once again.       

Those left to cherish the memory of David include,

his loving mother,

Rose Ames, Dubuque, IA;

his father,

David Ames, Sr., Rockford, IL;

his three adored daughters,

Zoe (Alex Puccio) Ames, Dubuque, IA,

Carmen (Joey Puccio) Ames, Dubuque, IA,

and Hannah (Zach Tittle) Ames, Dubuque, IA;

his grandchildren,

Sawyer Puccio, Noah Puccio, Joey Puccio and Delilah Tittle;

his brother,

Jeffrey (Jackie) Ames, Rockford, IL;

his nieces,

Lily Ames and Evie Ames, Rockford, IL;

his favorite feline companions,

Baby and Crabs;

along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, friends and neighbors.

David was preceded in death by his loving wife, Toni Marie (Grubb) Ames; his many grandparents and great-grandparents; along with his grandmother who held a very special bond with Davey, Rosemary T. “Rose” Capriola.

David’s family would like to thank the Dubuque Police Department and the Dubuque County Medical Examiner’s Office for all of their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Davey’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com