Jun 13, 2013

U.S. Army veteran took care of his family

James Paul Amos, 85, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in his home, with his wife at his side, after a long battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

He was born March 7, 1928, a son of Albert Brady and Blanche Marbeta McDaid Amos.

Mr. Amos spent his life in Washington and, in November 2012, he set off for one last great adventure, relocating with his wife to Rio Rancho, N.M. He loved watching Westerns and enjoyed actually seeing the Wild West, mountains and the areas where many of his favorite movies were filmed.

He loved his wife of 42 years, Bette. She was the one person he always wanted by his side.

Mr. Amos took care of everything and everyone. If it was broken, family members called Dad, and he could tell them how to fix it. His example of hard work and fairness was an inspiration to all his children. He took care of everyone, including his parents, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Mr. Amos never passed on an opportunity to hold a baby and enjoyed all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved to spend time in his vegetable garden.

Professionally, Mr. Amos worked at Tygart Valley and Brockway Glass Plant 7 for 39 years as a machine upkeep operator.

He served in the U.S. Army in Korea 49 Company, 3rd Battalion, and 47th infantry and was awarded the Purple Heart. After service, he was a member of Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8314.

He was a good man and was loved by all who knew him.

Surviving are his wife, Bette Lea McAfee McCoy Amos; four sons, Earl James Amos (Vickie), Danny Paul Amos (Gwen), Andrew Clark McCoy (Kim) and Allan Christopher McCoy; four daughters, Patti Jo Amos Nichols (Bill), Linda Lea McCoy McCormick (Don), Mary Ann McCoy Gallaway (Colin) and Elizabeth Marie Amos Goodman (Peter); 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Deceased are his parents, brothers Robert, Ivan, George (Bill) and Homer and sisters Marjorie Polan Finn and Mary Scariot.

Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 17. Burial will follow in West Middletown Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, in Community of Joy Lutheran Church, 841 Saratago Drive, Rio Rancho. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.