Melvin Lenard Amos

Melvin Lenard Amos, of Whiteriver, passed away January 28, 2010 at his home in Whiteriver. He was 86. Melvin was born May 19, 1923 in Pinon, AZ to the late Paul and Merinthia (Penrod) Amos. Melvin was a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and a lifelong resident of Whiteriver. He also was a true outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish and camp. Melvin was a guide for the White Mountain Apache Tribe trophy elk hunt long before the success it has seen today. He and his wife, Oma, also had the pleasure of cooking for those who were lucky enough to obtain this coveted tag. A true "Cowboy", Melvin loved branding, punching cows and maintaining his cattle that are still on the reservation to this day. He loved to tell stories, travel the United States and to gamble. Most of all he loved spending time with his family near and far. He was employed for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a heavy equipment mechanic. He enjoyed his time there and retired in 1980. A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend he will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Oma Amos of Whiteriver; his children, Elaine (Donny) Nielson of Tucson, Dony (Catherine) Amos of Globe, Deidra (Bill) Lee of Young, Rob (SuAnne) Amos of Laveen and Debbie (Rudy) Guzman of Tucson; 21 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 2 sisters, Gertrude Ellison of Oklahoma City, Delta (Harry) Brewer of Mesa; 1 brother, Paul (Lorinda) Amos, Jr. of Whiteriver as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by sons, Tom and Dennis Amos and 3 brothers, Marvin, George and Bill Amos. Funeral services will be held 10:00AM Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at the Whiteriver Lutheran Church in Whiteriver. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Whiteriver Cemetery in Whiteriver.