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1200 North Cloverdale Road
Boise, Idaho
Jay S. Amyx
1923 ~ 2014
Jay S. Amyx, former Mayor of Boise, Idaho passed peacefully away on Friday, January 24, 2014 at age 90 from complications resulting from a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him. Jay was born on September 27, 1923 to James Samuel and Annie May Amyx in Decatur, Texas. He attended school in Ponder, Texas, and during his high school years, he discovered a love for cars, which would continue to be an interest throughout his life. After graduating from high school, Jay joined the Air Force, where he learned the skill of becoming an electrician. Jay married Martha Louise Ratts on December 24, 1945 and in early 1946, moved from Texas to Boise, Idaho. They raised 5 children, Gordon, Martha "Kay", Duane, Lucretia and Don.
In his earlier years in Boise, he started Jay Amyx Construction Company where he built several hundred houses, commercial buildings and developed many sub-divisions.
During the earlier years in Boise, He was a member of Baptist Temple Church. He then became a member of The Community Christian Center where he taught Adult Sunday School for 15 + years. In 1956 Jay and Bob Wayman were instrumental in starting Mt. View Southern Baptist Church where he was the contractor on the building and became the first member. During the last years of his life, Jay and Martha have enjoyed being members of Anchor Southern Baptist Church. One of Jay's favorite organizations to be actively involved in was The Gideon's International - being a member since 1948.
Jay had compassion for people, and was always willing to stop and help someone in need. He had a strong desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people, so he and his wife, Martha served on numerous Mission trips , traveling to Russia, India, South Africa, Egypt, China, Viet Nam, Peru, Mongolia, Kenya, Poland and Turkey,
Jay's love of traveling took him and Martha to many countries as well as all 50 states. In addition to the countries he traveled to as a missionary, he enjoyed visiting Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Greece, Holland, Mexico, Spain, England, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Bosnia, Romania and Canada.
Jay had a passion for antique and classic cars and joined the Horseless Carriage Club where he and Martha were members for 15 + years driving his 1914 Model -T. In addition he enjoyed collecting antique and classic cars.
In 1966, Jay became the youngest elected Mayor of Boise, and the first to be elected to a four-year term. During his two-term tenure as Mayor, he was instrumental in developing the first stage of the Boise Green Belt, Assisting with Boise Junior College becoming Boise State University, acquired the property and began the construction of the new city hall, ground-breaking of Firebird Super Oval, involved in the action plan for city planning and urban renewal, he broke ground for the Boise Art Gallery/Museum, and bringing companies to Boise such as Hewlett-Packard.
With all of Jay's accomplishments, the most important thing in his life was his family. His favorite moments were large family gatherings when he would play with his grand-children having fun wrestling, teasing and laughing with everyone.
The family of Jay wishes to offer thanks to Willow Park Assisted Living and Valley View Nursing Home for the care of Jay for the past 4 years. The many Doctors, nurses and CNAs made sure he was comfortable and cared for on a daily basis.
Jay is survived by his wife Martha, 5 children and in-laws: Gordon Amyx, Martha "Kay" and Tom Cox, Duane and Cheryl Amyx, Lucretia and Tim Bollinger, Don and Beti Amyx, his sister Louise and Lloyd Stine, 16 grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren.
A celebration service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cloverdale Funeral Home , 1200 N. Cloverdale Rd. Boise, Idaho 83713 with a grave-side service and reception following. A viewing is on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 6 - 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make tax-exempt donations to the Idaho Baptist College, P.O. Box 190978 Boise, Idaho 83719.
To share memories with the family please visit Jay's memorial webpage at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Donny,I'm so very sorry about your fathers death my friend.
Carolyn Strain
January 14, 2015
A good friend and mentor, I will remember you always. One of the best men in my life to have known. Sadly missed always loved and respected. God bless the Amyx family. My prayers for peace and understanding in this time of grief and anguish.
Henry Martinez
February 22, 2014
My sister (Annie McLeod) and I first knew the family at the Community Christian Center. Our prayers go out to the family!
Sandy Tindle
February 7, 2014
My first experience with Martha Amyx is when Jay Amyx was elected to be the Mayor of Boise. Kitty Amyx, a sister in law, brought Martha to me as stylist at the Sherwood Plaza Beauty Salon, and Kitty said, make her look the best, she will be the wife of our new Mayor. The rest is history. Martha was kind, sweet and caring and made a strong partner for Jay in his leadership role. Jay Amyx, as Mayor, worked quietly and tirelessly to build a great city in his time in office. His legacy will live on. He loved to kid, joke and never met a stranger that he kept as friends for his lifetime. He had such a knack for old cars, restoring them and kept them like old friends.
Sorry for the lost. A life well lived. God bless the family
Bernadette & Dan Bonaminio
January 31, 2014
I miss you grandpa...I miss our snowball fights.
shasta amyx
January 30, 2014
Jay's smile always made me happy.. I will always remember him for his joyful demeanor . Thank you Jay.
Nattelie Owsley
January 30, 2014
Martha, I worked with you many years ago at the Hillcrest Hickory Farms..I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. Carla
Carla Gagnon-Mills
January 30, 2014
Love to you
Rhonda Robinson
January 29, 2014
Martha, I am so sorry to hear about Jay. Remember all the wonderful times we had together. We love you and all of your children. Cleota (Newell) Patterson.
January 29, 2014
As a lifelong Boise resident, I remember well the time when Mayor Amyx was at the helm. He did our community well.
I didn't know him well, but I very much appreciated the accomplishments that are listed in his lovely obituary. He was a man of accomplishment - and his heart was obviously in a very good place. I reckon he's earned a reward "up yonder."
Condolences to his family and loved ones... and thank you for sharing him with the community at large.
Steve Hulme
January 29, 2014
Rest in peace Mayor. I can still picture you walking all over the the creamery in Meridian among all them cars. Fond memories from those days. You made a difference in the Boise Valley.
Terry Tipton
January 29, 2014
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Amyx family. Jay was a one of a kind man. Always had a smile, laughing and always chasing the kids to play and get their noses. He was generous and kind to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by so many. I am lucky to have had the privilege of knowing him. God bless ?
Angie Pickles
January 28, 2014
Jay was there to help me through some of the darkest points in my life. He was always willing to lend an ear and offered to help any way he could. While I haven't seen him in 13 years, I still consider him a dear friend! He helped get me out of some horrible situations just because of our visits and his support. You will be greatly missed Jay!
Tara Halberstadt
January 28, 2014
I will miss you deeply. Thank You for letting me call you Dad. You were my "Great White Father" as Mom, Martha would say. You always had a smile on your face and a great sense of humor, this I will deeply miss. I Love you dad.
Lynn Major
January 28, 2014
I will miss you deeply, you always had a smile on your face and always had a great sense of humor. You knew my family before I was even born. As the years went by I was put into yours and Martha's path. You both became my Spiritual Parents, as we walked down the path of Gods way of life, as you both guided me in life as a Christian should be. I Love You and Martha For all that you've done for me, and I you. But most of all I want to Thank You for letting me call you Dad and Martha Mom, You both were the only "real" Parents that God put in my path and I dearly thank him for this. I will miss you deeply and I Love you, always and forever your my Daddy
Lynn Major
January 28, 2014
Jay, you knew my family before I was even born. You loved me as if I was one of your own kids.You and Martha became my Spiritual parents, as you showed me the path to the kingdom of God. You even allowed me to call you both Mom and Dad. The love you shared was such true real spiritual love from God, a love I will always hold within my heart the love from a Dad to a Daughter, that we had. I will always love you Daddy.
Lynn Major
January 28, 2014
It was nice to know Jay. I bought a car from him in 1990 that he had refurbished at his creamery in Meridian, a 1964 Rambler Ambassador. It was a beauty and I loved that car. I knew him as the grandfather of my step children, Shasta and Ira Amyx. He treated me decent and was always friendly when we saw each other.
Jesse Luna
January 28, 2014
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Cloverdale Funeral Home Cemetery and Cremation - Gibson Chapel - Boise1200 North Cloverdale Road, Boise, ID 83713
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