Ira Amos

Ira Lee Amos, 87, of Yakima passed away Friday, June 3rd, 2016. Ira was born in Cowiche, Washington on November 21st, 1928 to Clyde and Verna Amos. Ira grew up in Cowiche surrounded by 6 brothers and sisters. According to Dad, he walked to school in the snow for 5 miles every day. It turns out, however, it wasn’t that far. He would meet his best friend, Don Johnson, at the railroad tracks, and then continue on to school. There are sketchy stories about “The Boys” and their mischievous adventures, not to exclude tipping over out houses and driving cars on the railroad tracks. Ira started working at the age of 14 in a grocery store in Naches. When we ask him what he did, he said “whatever they wanted me to do.” This created his lifelong saying, “It all pays the same.” Ira met the love of his life in high school, Dorothy Herman. They were married April 24th, 1948. He continued to work at the store, and then he pursued a great job opportunity in Oakland, California. During their stay they had their first child, Tom. They did not like California and were homesick, so they moved back to Yakima. A few years later they had a daughter, Lynn. Ira loved the grocery business, so he continued to make this his career path. He worked for SuperDuper, but then settled in at Wray’s Southgate for 38 years as the manager. He loved Wray Brown. He felt a special closeness and a tremendous amount of respect for him. After Wray retired, Bob stepped in his shoes, and so began a new generation of friendship, love and respect. He loved his employees and his customers. He was tough boss, but also fun and caring. He was a mentor to many. He was a true jokester. Ira loved his family, a true family man. He was an amazing Dad! We always knew we came first! We were so incredibly fortunate. We grew up as a close family. He loved his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and his grandchildren. Sunday was always a designated “Family Day.” It was Sunday dinner for all at Elsie’s, Ernie’s, Lucille’s or Mom’s. He adored his grandchildren, Scott, Colby and Angela. He had so much fun with them. He taught them (actually all of us) good manners, good work ethics and good humor. We laugh at times wondering if he scarred them! (With his tricks.) As the kids got older, some of his antics were reversed on him! Paybacks are sometimes painful! Ira was close to all his siblings but he had a very special close friendship with his brother-in-law, Don Adams. He loved Farmer Don’s stories and they shared such a special bond, and lots of laughs. He adored his sisters Lucille and Elsie. Ira was very close to his nephew, Mike Amos. They could talk for hours and Mike was always there for Dad. Dad had such a passion and love for Mom, Tom and Lynn. We were truly his world. With that came the need to know what was going on with all of us all the time. Ira was many things to many people. He touched lives in so many different ways. He was a great mentor, advisor, boss, husband, brother, son, uncle, dad and friend to all he knew. He also was a bit controlling – he wanted to be in the loop. If you didn’t call often enough, he would ask “Is your finger broken?” Ira loved to fish and hunt. He spent endless amounts of time with Tom teaching him the tricks of the trade. He did such a good job that Tom ended up with a career as a commercial fisherman. He was a great carpenter and handyman. After work he spent most of his evenings in the garage (his man cave). Mom always called it “his endless tinkering.” He was a collector; in other words, he never threw anything away. He called them his “treasures.” Dad loved to listen to his scanner and often had to “Roll” on fires and Scott grew up Rolling with Grandpa on many occasions. Dad loved NASCAR and the Mariners. Ira was famous for his “Ira-isms” like: “the Sun Don’t Shine on the same Dog’s Tail every day” or “Huh??? You can kick a pig in the butt and get more than a huh.” Ira-isms will live on in all that knew him. Ira is survived by his son Tom and Joyce Amos (Port Angeles); daughter Lynn and John Beam (Yakima); grandson Scott and Jenifer Nelson (Yakima); grandson Colby Amos (Port Angeles); granddaughter Angela Amos (Portland, OR); great granddaughter Kate Nelson(Yakima); sister Lucille and Don Adams; nephew Mike and Linda Amos (Selah); numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Ira is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy. Clyde and Verna Amos (parents); brothers Ernie Amos, Buck Amos, Peck Amos and Lonnie Amos and sister Elsie Pleasant. The family would like to say thank you in a big way to Highgate Senior Living. Dad spent the last 4 years of his life among many new friends and awesome Care Partners, who not only loved him, but who also took such good care of him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Wellness House. A celebration of Ira’s life will be held 11 am, Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 at Valley Hills Funeral Home (2600 Business Ln., Yakima, WA) with a reception following the graveside committal. To share a memory or condolence please visit www.valleyhillsfh.com. Arrangements by Valley Hills Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ira Amos, please visit our flower store.