Norman Amos

Norman Amos, 82, passed away on November 21, 2019. Funeral services will be held at Terrace Park Funeral Home on Monday, November 25th at 1:00pm, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Burial will follow at Mt. Moriah South.

Norman Lee Amos was born in Clinton County near Lathrop, Missouri.  First born of share croppers Floyd Tandy Amos and Emma Kathryn (Wilson) Amos.  Two years later, Norman was joined by sister Kathy, and again, seven years later, by brother Kenny.  The family lived on a farm, working it, but tending their own garden.  They were constantly together, usually enjoying the outdoors.  Norman was a perfect big brother to Kenny.  They travelled many places together in Norman’s car and teamed to pick on Kathy, born between them.  When Norman was 12, his family moved to Gashland, MO in the Kansas City northland.  During high school, Norman set numerous track records at North Kansas City High School, many of which stood for years.  His speed on the track allowed him to receive a full scholarship to William Jewell College.  However, after a doctor diagnosed a heart murmur, he lost the scholarship and could not complete his college education due to the expense.

Norman found his first major employment as a grocery store manager for Williams United Super in the northland.  After twenty some years, Norman worked as an appraiser, mostly commercial, for the city of Kansas City, MO.  He also worked for several years for the Kansas City Auto Auction.  He received pensions from all three employments.  Because he needed people to listen to his constant dry humor, Norman also worked as an equipment manager for all sports at William Jewell College, completing his four years, but without a degree.  At the time of his death, Norman was working at Budget Car Rental, moving cars from one Kansas City area location to another, as needed.  He continued his comic relief at Budget where many also enjoyed his many stories, some true, and his friendly bantering.

Norman loved to eat and was usually seen going back for a third helping.  He would eat almost anything, but not tomatoes.  He would eat ketchup, tomato sauce and paste, etc., but if a casserole had tomatoes in it, he would pick them out and lay them on the side of his plate.  Norman enjoyed many gourmet items, like fried chicken livers, sardines and saltines, swiss cheese and crackers, washing them all down with a 16-ouncebottle from an 8-pack of Royal Crown (RC) Cola.  Norman also loved to tell you how to pick, wash, soak, batter and cook morel mushrooms.  But he would not tell where to find them, a standard issue with avid mushroom hunters.

Norman, and wife Violet, loved to travel, far and wide, visiting six continents.  Norman had to try hard to keep up with his wife, with proof shown in many picture albums.  They had a love for square dancing, crossword puzzles, and family gatherings.  Norman liked reading Western novels, country music, and pinochle.  They travelled for years with their Play-Mor camper all around the United States and Canada.  Norman and Violet were members of Fairview Christian Church for nearly 60 years, Norman serving as Deacon more than once.

Nieces and Nephews enjoyed calling Norman uncle “Norni”.  Norman was preceded in death by his aforementioned parents, sister, brother, step-son Ricky Reed, grand-daughter Heather Reed-Flynn, and his wife of 55 years, Violet (Pennington) Reed Amos.  He is survived by sister in law, Jeanie (Packham) Amos, two nieces, Michelle (Amos) Coon and Andra (Culp) Warren, nephew Kevin Amos, step-sons Tim Reed and Larry Reed, grand-sons Terry, Chris and Randy Reed, and grand-daughter Courtenay (Reed) Cunningham, nine great grand-children, and seven great, great grand-children.