#ALBANY -- Paul Eames, 84, of Albany, died Monday, October 3, 2011 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

#His memorial service will be 2 PM FRIDAY, October 7, 2011 at Byne Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Eames's remains were cremated and his cremated remains will be buried at Crown Hill Cemetery immediately following the memorial service. The Rev. Clay Bowden and the Rev. Matthew Nance will officiate.

#The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern on Thursday from 6-8 PM.

#Paul Eames was born in Worcester, Mass., graduated from Uxbridge High School where he lettered in baseball, football, and basketball. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. He moved to Albany in 1950 when he was assigned to the Albany Cardinals of the Class D Georgia-Florida League. He played in the League until 1955; his last year was with the Tifton, GA Blue Sox. He started working with the Albany Recreation Department in the off season in 1953. He became the City of Albany Athletic Director and remained with the city for 28 years. Along with his wife and family, he ran the concession stands at many ballparks in Albany, sold Christmas Trees for 47 years, and ran the Hit and Run Restaurant for 5 years. He remained a reference scout for the St. Louis Cardinals for many years. He was also a member of the Albany Baseball Officiating Association and would umpire games during the baseball season. He also refereed football and basketball games in the Albany area for many years. He was very proud of his association with the Walter Burt American Legion Post 30 baseball teams and coached them for 9 years. They won back-to-back state championships in 1961-1962. He also coached the Deerfield Windsor baseball team to a state championship. He was elected to the Albany Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and was also a member of the Georgia-Florida-Alabama Class D Minor League Hall of Fame. The City of Albany honored his contributions to the youth of Albany by naming its baseball complex the Paul Eames Sports Complex. Mr. Eames often noted that his greatest satisfaction from athletics came from teaching the game. Many of his former players, several who went on to play professional sports, attested to his ability. Paul Eames was a longtime member of Byne Memorial Baptist Church and the A and P Sunday School Class. He enjoyed fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Eames and Edna Eames Merriam, and by his son, Gary Alan Eames.

#He is survived by his wife Dot Eames, Albany, whom he married at home plate at Cardinal Park on July 16, 1951; a son: Glenn Eames, Albany; a daughter: Stacey Eames, Atlanta; a grandson: Andrew Paul Eames, Reston, VA.

#Those desiring may send memorials to Living Legacy at Byne Memorial Baptist Church, 2832 Ledo Rd., Albany, GA 31707.

#You may sign the online guestbook and share your memories with the family of Paul Eames by visiting Kimbrell-Stern's website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

#Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors