James Ambrose, 83, of Wyoming, passed away at home Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Born in Pittston on August 25, 1941, he was the son of the late Rocco and Susan Paoloni Ambrose and was raised in Wyoming.
He was a graduate of Wyoming High School, where he lettered in football and track. He served in the US Marine Corps. In his earlier years, he worked as a Tool and Die Maker before fully devoting his career to teaching Shotokan Karate.
Jim was accomplished in Shotokan Karate. Over the past 60+ years, he trained with renowned masters in the sport and trained hundreds if not thousands of men, women, and children, personally achieving a 9th Degree Black Belt. He first got involved with the sport in the early 1960’s while in Marine Corps basic training. He trained with renowned masters, Teruyuki Okazaki in Philadelphia and Kazumi Tabata. Jim helped Tabata form the North American Karate Federation (NAKF) and the New England Collegiate Karate Federation (NECKC) which includes Harvard, MIT, UMASS, Tufts, Boston University and Dartmouth to name a few.
Jim introduced Shotokan Karate to the Wyoming Valley and had coached many local athletes who competed in state and national championships. He formed the Wyoming Valley Karate Club. He guided youngsters in many local karate clubs, including King’s College Karate, Wilkes College Karate, Lycoming College, Penn State Extension Troop, the Luzerne County Recreation Karate Club and the Wyoming Valley Karate Club.
Jim coached, participated in, and trained many fighters for all levels of competition in both the U.S. and in Japan. He was an Olympic Hopeful, chosen by the Japan Karate Association to be a member of the U.S. Karate team for the 1964 summer games in Tokyo, Japan. One of his proudest Karate moments was winning gold at the First International Hard Contact Karate and Point Tournament in Kyoto, Japan in 1991. He both coached and participated in the 40 team competition, helping the U.S. team win first place despite suffering three slipped discs prior to the event.
He loved his family and spending time with his family and friends. He frequently spoke of his daughter and sons, son in law, and grandchildren with his close friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Ronald Ambrose.
Surviving are daughter, Jami Brown (Mike), West Wyoming; sons, James, Kingston and Vincent, Kingston; grandchildren, James and Jillian Ambrose and Michael and Kaia Brown; aunt, nephews, and many friends.
The family will receive friends and relatives Tuesday November 26, from 5-7pm at Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.
Private interment.
I first had the pleasure of training with Sensei when I was 12 years old and he pushed me to my limit. I never thought I could achieve such things. My father passed away when I was 13 and Sensei took me under his wing. He taught me how to shoot the long bow and gave me hunting skills I still use today. Jim Ambrose made me the man I am today. Thanks Sensei, Joel Siegel
On behalf of the Kazumi Tabata School in Bermuda, Tabata-Ha Shotokan Karate-Do Bermuda, and the instructors Charles Butterfield , Roger Trimm , Oscar Lightbourne and Andrea McKey we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Jim Ambrose.
Jim’s unwavering dedication to the art of Shotokan karate and his enduring support for the martial arts community left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to know him. His passion, discipline, and kindness will always be remembered and cherished.
During this time of sorrow, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in the memories of his remarkable life and the legacy he leaves behind in the martial arts community.
With…
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Sensei Jim Ambrose for over 50 years. He was someone I looked up to as a mentor and role model, as I progressed in my journey in Karate. His influence has motivated me to continue my involvement to this day. His frequent visits to Massachusetts were always welcome. He provided key training tips and guidance that he shared from his own extensive Karate knowledge. (I continue to use these insights with my students even now) His warmth and good humor helped to moderate the seriousness of our hard training practices. I was always impressed by his technical abilities, when he was demonstrating techniques in his teaching. Truly, Jim was a real pioneer in the…
Sensei Ambrose was the kind of teacher who showed me much more than I realized at the time - especially (and tirelessly) demonstrating the benefits of focus and persistence by his words and example. A lot of us were adolescents or younger and sometimes it was an uphill struggle to keep us herded at all, but he was a model of patience on the good days and a necessary source of tough love on the others. It's no surprise to see that that example is still so widely followed and fondly remembered. All good wishes and sympathy to the whole family.
Jim you were not only a great karateka but also a great friend. I will always remember our times at tournaments, your words of wisdom and most of all your sense of humor. You had a life well lived and touched hundreds if not thousands of people not just in karate but those of us touched just by knowing you. You made me a better karateka and a better person through your actions and knowledge. Take care Brother.