Jay Amyx

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.