Dick Amos

Richard Lee Amos (Dick) was born in Goodland, Kansas in Boothroy Memorial Hospital on April 30, 1937 to Lucille Tyler Amos and Donald Amos. His older sister Connie welcomed him home. In his younger years he loved to play army with his friends. He used much imagination to make a stick look like a gun. He loved toy trains and magic tricks. Dick lost his best playmate, his dad, when he was 7 years old. This was a tragic time for him. When he was older, his Grandma and Grandpa Amos bought him his first bicycle and electric train set. At that time, he began playing marble games, and later, he won the Sherman County Marble Shooting Contest with a prize cup and all. After graduating from high school, he decided to follow in his Uncle Bud Stuart's footsteps as a jeweler. He went to Bradley College in Peoria, Illinois to become a watchmaker. When he graduated from Bradley, he was an apprentice at his uncle's store, Stuart Jewelry, in St. Francis, Kansas. He then came to Wray, Colorado to open Stuart Jewelry in the Pickett Building on the northwest corner of Main and Highway 34 in 1956.
In 1958, Stuart Jewelry was changed to Amos Jewelry, and a legacy was born. Soon after, Amos Jewelry was moved to the building which currently houses Basically Business. In 1968, Dick went to New York City and attended the Gemological Institute of America's Diamond Certification program. New York City became one of Dick's favorite places to visit, and he visited there often throughout the years. In 1969, Amos Jewelry moved across the street to its permanent location at the northeast corner of 4th and Main.
Dick was an active member of the Wray Chamber of Commerce, participating in many projects, including the founding of the Wray Daze celebration. In 1972, Dick joined the International Jewelers Organization (IJO), and traveled for the first time to Antwerp, Belgium to buy diamonds to bring back to Yuma County. Dick served 4 generations of the community of Wray and the surrounding areas as
the jeweler and watchmaker.
He married Charlene Bullard in 1957. Dick and Charlene's union brought forth two children, Debra Sue, and Brenda Kay Amos. Dick was a dedicated father to his two girls. They had numerous adventures but one they often looked forward to was an annual summer trip to Glenwood Springs. Dick would take the girls on a train, when they arrived, they would hike and swim for all hours of the day. This was always the highlight of the summer.
Debbie was Dick's firstborn child, and he was very loving and proud of her. One of Dicks happiest moments as a father was after the birth of Dakota, Debbie's only son. To him, this was a true miracle in life, and he cherished every moment and memory. Later in life Dick and Lynne took on responsibility for raising him.
Dick was an exceptionally athletic man whose passion for sports was evident throughout his life. He was a Wray High School athletics supporter and valued and encouraged physicality, hard work, and excellence. One of his greatest joys came from watching his daughter Brenda play basketball for WHS as well as in her college career at the University of Northern Colorado. He was at almost every game, cheering passionately from the sidelines. His enthusiasm and unwavering support fueled her love of sports that has been passed down through generations.
Dick's competitive spirit made him a passionate golfer, often found on the course whenever he had free time. He even created a putting green in his backyard to practice his game. Dick traveled extensively to play at various golf courses across the country. A true highlight of his golfing life was playing a round of golf with his best friend Delbert Holloway and actor Leslie Nielsen at the Biltmore Golf Course in Phoenix, Arizona. He also played a key role in establishing the golf course in Wray, serving on the committee and becoming a regular sight on the golf course for many years.
In 1990, Dick married Lynne Clouse Barnett and b
ecame the stepfather of Tessa and Thomas Barnett. Together Dick and Lynne were active in the adventures of Tessa and Thomas. They launched rockets in 4H, tried their hand at numerous Science Fair projects, spray painted Easter eggs, carved giant pumpkins, curated a beautiful yard, golfed, raced Pinewood Derby cars, camped, hiked, and explored. Dick was part of a wonderful co-parenting team to get Tessa and Thomas raised. Simultaneously, Dick and Lynne continued to build what was already established at Amos Jewelry. They expanded the reputation of Amos Jewelry through countless trips to jewelry shows around the country and the world, especially enjoying New York City and Antwerp. Dick was a fearless adventurer, and Lynne loved to adventure right alongside. They became a recognizable team that people from around the region trusted with their most sentimental and memorable moments.
Dick's love for animals was a defining aspect of his character, one that brought joy and warmth to his life and to those around him. He had a special way with animals, always showing them kindness and compassion, whether it was caring for his beloved pets or supporting stray or abandoned cats. This deep affection for all creatures great and small will be his enduring legacy. Even in death, Dick's spirit lives on through the countless lives he touched, both human and animal. His memory will forever inspire us to act with the same love and empathy he showed every day.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Debra Amos McGee, son-in-law Leroy McGee, grandson Dakota McGee, brother-in-law Leo Hatcher, and father-and-mother-in-law Bob and Patty Clouse.
Dick is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynne Amos, daughter Brenda Berning and partner Janet Coderre, son-in-law Mark Berning, grandson Casey Berning and wife Sarah, daughter Emma, and step-children Ethan and Piper Haas, granddaughter Kendra Berning and partner Michael Kyle and daughter Payton, step-daughter Tessa Walker and husband
Brendon and children Halle, Kendyl, and Knox Oestman and Easton and Brayden Walker, step-son Thomas Barnett and wife Kara and children Maren and Lance, sister Constance Hatcher and many nieces, nephews, and honorary children, including Shelly Murphy Carlson and Madisyn Johnson.