Ambrose J. Ochs

On May 31, 2008 God called Ambrose “Buzz” Joseph Ochs, IV to his eternal home in glory after a valiant battle with brain cancer. His life began on March 14, 1957, in Fremont, Ohio. At an early age Buzz saved the life of a little girl who had fallen into a swimming pool. This started a lifetime of saving others through an awesome gift of evangelism that he had. He would share the gospel of our Lord and Savior with others wherever he went. He had a great ability to bring the face of Jesus to the people that he met on this earth. Buzz graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School, of Fremont, OH in 1975. One of his greatest accomplishments was becoming an Eagle Scout. He then trained at Terra Technical College, earning an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Nuclear Power in 1977. His education was not over, as he took many more continuing education classes throughout his life. His nuclear career began at the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant. In 1983 he became an independent contractor and traveled all over the country working at nuclear plants in 13 different states. Buzz had a lifetime goal of traveling to all 50 states, which he almost accomplished, thanks to his contracting work. On July 8, 1978 he married the love of his life, Joyce Marie (Tibboles) Ochs. Their family became complete with the addition of a cherished daughter, Erin Elizabeth. Buzz was very much a family man and they traveled often to be with family in Ohio, to enjoy cookouts and bonfires on the shores of Lake Erie. Buzz loved to sail, and had a deep love of the water. He had been many places, and experienced many bodies of water, but cherished none like he did the Cataba Island/Lake Erie area of his home state of Ohio. Buzz was a man very dedicated to his church, Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, serving for 9 years on the Stewardship committee, many of these years as the Chairman. He was proud to play the part of Andrew in their production of the Last Supper Pageant on Maundy Thursday. He enjoyed being a chaperone on many of the Zion Youth Group trips and events. Buzz will be remembered by all as a man who loved golf, golf and more golf and his greatest golfing accomplishment was getting a hole-in-one. He also was a huge Star Trek fan. He is listed in the Who’s Who in American High School Students. He loved to play Euchre with his friends, especially Jim, Gary and Mark. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joyce Marie, of St. Joseph, his loving daughter and her fiancee Erin Elizabeth Ochs and Donald Price, of Sterling Heights, MI, his mother, Madeline Ochs of Port Clinton, OH, his sisters and brother; Monica (Karl) Busby, Carolyn (Tom) Pope, and Paul (Tina) Ochs all of Port Clinton, OH, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Charles (Sheryl) Tibboles, of Bellevue, OH. He also leaves the following nieces and nephews: Bradley (Briana) Busby, Stephen Busby, Karlie Busby, Kacie Busby, Jonathan Pope, Nicholas Pope, Evan Pope, Shana (Shawn) Hemenway, and Damon Tibboles, and many great nieces and nephews. Buzz also leaves many friends all over the country. Buzz was preceded in death by his father, Ambrose “Bud” Ochs III, his grandparents; Ambrose (Helen) Ochs II, Captain John Phillips (Madeline) Lowe, and his brother-in-law, William “Al” Tibboles. Buzz’ life will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 4 at 11:00A.M. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI, with Reverend Michael Gmitter presiding. Burial will follow in Spring Run Cemetery. The family will meet with friends on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 from 6 – 8 P.M. at Starks Menchinger Family Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI; Memorial donations may be made to Henry Ford – Cancer Center or the Ambrose Joseph Ochs Foundation through Chase Bank. Those wishing to send the family a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com A prayer service will be held at 5:00 P.M., with a visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., June 9, 2008, at the home Madeline Ochs in Port Clinton, OH at which his dear friend Mark Reeves will preside.