Paul E Amos

Paul (Doomie) Amos, age 87 of Whiteriver, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022 at his home in Whiteriver, surrounded by family. Paul Eliphelet Amos, Jr. was born January 11, 1935 in Whiteriver, Arizona, the youngest child of Paul Eliphelet Amos, Sr. and Merintha Altheria Penrod. He was born on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation and attended school in Whiteriver, then McNary High School, graduating with the Class of 1954. During his Senior year, while eating in the Whiteriver café, he saw a young lady from Oklahoma, and said “She’s the one for me!” On May 7, 1954, Paul married Rosemary Barrett. From this union, 5 children were born-Paul Barrett, Rosalind Lorraine, Lance Foreman, Merintha Jenell (Jenny) and Melanie Lee. During his life, he held many jobs, including construction work, equipment operator, tailing lumber at the saw mill, head of building maintenance, livestock manager, reserve police officer, game warden and Trophy elk founder and guide. Most of these jobs were for the White Mountain Apache Tribe. But, when he decided to trap for furs, he was on his own. While working as the Livestock Manager for the Tribe, Paul met his second wife, Lorinda Tortice. They made their home in Whiteriver, where their 2 children, Chadwick Dennis (Sharky) and Falana Deanne grew up. He referred to Lorinda as “The Apple of his eye” and always told everyone how much he loved and appreciated her. His love for the outdoors drew him to hobbies such as running cattle, fishing and hunting. When asked what his favorite pastime was, his quick response was always “fishing”. Dad could catch fish when no one else could. He would be pulling fish out of the water while your hole seemed to be dry, then if you traded spots with him, he would begin pulling them out of the hole you had been at and you still wouldn’t get a bite! All of his friends and family knew him as everyone’s favorite general repairman. His nephew once commented that Paul was a genius, he could do anything. He could fix anything and was always willing to help others. When Paul was 15 years old, he was cast in the movie Broken Arrow along with the famous actor, Iron Eyes Cody. After filming, Iron Eyes Cody wanted him to go back to California with him, but Paul wasn’t interested. Paul could play the guitar and harmonica and was a good singer. He even had a little band he played with, which included his nephews Tommy and Donnie Amos. Paul enjoyed roping and competed in several rodeos. Paul was often heard saying, “I sure am proud of and love my family!” Paul was preceded in death by his beloved son, John Derl Amos, his parents, Paul E Amos, Sr. and Merintha Penrod Amos, brothers-George Paul Amos, Melvin Lenard Amos, William Raymond Amos and infant brother Marvin Wilburn Amos, sisters-Gertrude Merintha Ellison and Marian Delta Brewer. He is survived by his wife, Lorinda Tortice and his children-Paul Amos (Michelle) of Phoenix, AZ, Rosalind Massey (Craig) of San Tan Valley, AZ, Lance Amos (Suzanne) of Mesa, AZ, Jenell Gowens (Mike) of Purcell, OK, Melanie Roberts (Sterling) of Hooper, UT, Chadwick Amos (Lynn) of Whiteriver, AZ and Falana Truax (Troy) of Mesa, AZ. Paul is also survived by his 35 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews and numerous friends who loved and will truly miss him. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Fort Apache, AZ, with a viewing to be held prior to the service from 7:00 am til 9:30 am. Interment will follow at the Whiteriver Cemetery.