SHUSHAN, N.Y. — James S. Ambrose, a Vietnam War veteran who had a lifelong love of learning and problem-solving, found his greatest joy in serving as a support to his family. 

He died on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Saratoga Hospital. He was 80.

“Born July 10, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Jim was the son of the late James Richard and Rebecca Agnes (née Dole) Ambrose,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He graduated from high school in Orange County, California, and went on to attend Harvey Mudd College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

“Jim later enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam. Following his honorable discharge, he continued his education at the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania, earning his master’s degree in business administration.

“Jim’s professional career reflected both dedication and adaptability. He worked for DuPont, the Ford Motor Company, International Harvester, and later Time Warner as a financial analyst.

“In 1983, Jim suffered a diving accident that left him a quadriplegic. Determined to continue providing for his family, he taught himself computer programming and secured jobs with Island Records and other companies in New York City, working to develop the first touch-screen technology for browsing music in stores.

“For over 40 years after his accident, Jim continued to work full-time with various companies, building a career he deeply enjoyed while raising his family.

“Throughout his married life, Jim lived in Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Summit, New Jersey; Guilderland, New York; and most recently Shushan, New York, where he had resided since 2011.

“Jim had a lifelong love of learning and problem-solving. He especially enjoyed computer programming and coding, reading science fiction, astronomy, jigsaw puzzles, and word and logic puzzles.

“While living in Guilderland, he and his family held season tickets to local hockey teams, regularly attending games at RPI in Troy and the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany. He was also highly involved in the Guilderland public school district while his daughters were growing up, volunteering numerous hours as president of the PTA Council and working with elementary and middle-school students through math and computer clubs that he founded and led.

“In his later years, Jim took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren — telling jokes, watching them compete in sports, discussing science and history, and building intricate Legos creations.  

“With his quick wit and dry sense of humor, Jim made friends with everyone he encountered, always striving to put others at ease and find common ground. However, his greatest joy came from serving as a support to his family. Whether acting as a careful listener, providing guidance on topics from taxes to gardening, or simply letting them know he was always in their corner, Jim played an invaluable role in the lives of his family.”

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James S. Ambrose is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kristine (née Hamelin) Ambrose, whom he married on June 27, 1974.

He is also survived by his children: Jennifer Ambrose of Utica, New York; Karin Foster and her husband, Kent, of Shushan, New York; and Rebecca Ambrose and her husband, Jeffrey Barringer, of Guilderland, New York.

He is survived by his siblings: Dave Ambrose and his wife, Sue, of Friday Harbor, Washington; Greg Ambrose and his wife, Diane, of Fairplay, Colorado; and Jeff Ambrose and his wife, Kathy, of Cedar Mountain, North Carolina.

He was a devoted grandfather to Anna and Jane Foster and to Aurora, Colton, Sullivan, Wells, and Montgomery Barringer. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His parents, James Richard and Rebecca Agnes (née Dole) Ambrose, died before him, as did his granddaughter, Ruth Foster.

A graveside service with military honors will be held in the spring at Woodlands Cemetery in Cambridge.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Rescue Squad, Post Office Box 360, Salem, NY 12865; the Salem Food Pantry, Post Office Box 476, Salem, NY 12865; and the Friends of the Bancroft Public Library, Post Office Box 478, Salem, NY 12865.