Ollie J. Amon Jr.

Ollie J. Amon Jr. SUFFOLK - On Aug. 14, 2008, Ollie James Amon Jr. claimed God's promise of the resurrection. He was born March 22, 1926, in Lawrenceville to the late Ollie James and Evelyn Browder Amon. Graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, he entered the College of William and Mary, but later that year joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific on the USS Bland. After the war, he returned to The College of William and Mary and graduated in 1950. As an active member of Monumental United Methodist Church, he served in many leadership roles including singing in the chancel choir for more than 65 years. He served as former president and, most recently, as treasurer of the Portsmouth District United Methodist Men, the Bennetts Creek Ruritan Club, Navy Bean Counters, William and Mary Football Club and numerous community organizations. He had 32 years of civilian government service with the U.S. Navy where he received the Navy's Superior Civilian Service Award. He was also a retired Naval Reserve officer. Survivors include his wife, Darlene Van Camp Amon; daughter, Deborah Amon Duke and husband Buddy of Norfolk; son, James Barry Amon of Suffolk; stepson, Jerry L. Cunningham II and wife Bibbie of Suffolk; six grandchildren, Meghan Decker and Brittany Decker, both of Norfolk, Whitney Amon Ray and Eric Amon, both of Portsmouth, Jerry Lee "Trey" Cunningham III and Kristin Cunningham, both of Suffolk; one great-granddaughter, Kelsie Ray of Portsmouth; one brother, the Rev. William Amon and wife Barbara Anne of Warsaw; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a son, Bruce Amon. The celebration of life service will be held Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Monumental United Methodist Church, Dinwiddie and Queen Streets, Portsmouth, with the Revs. Robert E. Friend Jr. and W. Dabney Walters officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Entombment will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, today from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Monumental United Methodist Church building fund. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.