Emilio Amaya

1929 - 2017

July 22, 1929 - July 20, 2017
Colonel Emilio Amaya, US Army (Ret.) went to be with our Lord July 20, 2017, passing peacefully in his sleep at the age of 87. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 22, 1929 to Emilio and Aurora (Garcia) Amaya.

He was a graduate of Fox Tech High School in San Antonio and later in life graduated from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS. Emilio joined the US Army after High School serving as a communication linesman. He transitioned his skills and knowledge from his military service to work with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company; to achieve Senior Management, all while serving as Deputy Chief of Staff in the US Army Reserves 90th ARCOM "Tough 'Ombres". He retired from SWBT Co. after 36 years and later retired from the US Army Reserves as Colonel. Emilio had a lifetime of commitment to our city being a very strong and sound advocate to build a resilient community. After retirement, he went on to become certified by the Board of Tax Professional Examiners serving as Chief Deputy Tax Assessor-Collector for more than 7 years. He also served as Vice President with the Mexican Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trustees with San Antonio Library, City of San Antonio Ethics Committee, San Antonio Housing Authority (Board of Directors), Vice President of Texas Talent Musicians Association (Tejano Music Awards), and San Antonio Fiesta Commissioner. He was also a member of Rotary International, Telephone Pioneers of America, Pan American Optimist Club, Raul Jimenez Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and the International Black and White Ball. Emilio lived a full and exuberant life keeping family, faith and friends very close to his heart. He was one of a kind, his own man, confident, strong and always wanting to persevere when others discouraged. Always reinventing himself with new opportunities for growth. He was a good man who always meant well and was extremely caring. "A Great Dad to All his Children and a Loving and Devoted Husband!" He will be deeply missed by all and leaves us with many fond and cherished memories!

Emilio is survived by his children with the late Dolores V. Amaya: son Arthur L. Amaya (Matthew) in Dallas and daughter Regina Amaya Hadgraft (Ian) in Houston, his loving and devoted wife Rosalinda Amaya and daughters Vanessa Trafton (Michael), Odessa Ruiz (Alberto), Claressa Gonzalez (Pedro), three grandchildren Dylan and Ava Trafton, Mylow Gonzalez. Also, his sister, Gladys Cervantes, nephews Charles "Chuck" Cervantes (Karen), Steve Cervantes (Sheryl), niece Cindy De La Llana (Richard) and their families; cousins Louis Larralde and Gilbert (Lydia) Larralde. He was preceded in death by his parents Emilio and Aurora Amaya and his beloved son Paul E. Amaya.

Services will be held Monday, July 31, 2017 - A Rosary will be recited at 11:30 am at St Anthony de Padua Catholic Church at 102 Lorenz St., San Antonio, Texas with the Funeral Mass following at 12:00 noon, burial will follow at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special Thank you to Mari Tapia and staff at Junior's Personal Care Home. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made in Colonel Amaya's name to: Junior's Personal Care Home at 10407 Fox Hollow, San Antonio, Texas 78217.