of Batesville, AR
October 30, 1939 - September 19, 2024
Paul Russell Amos, 84, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Wood Lawn Heights Nursing Home. Russ was born on October 30, 1939 in Seymour, IN to the late Carl and Thelma Amos.
Russ had a love for aviation from his father, at age 12 he partnered with his brother to buy his first airplane. After high school Russ served in the Air Force for 5 years. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Mary. He and Mary went on to be married and have been married for 62 Years.
Russ and Mary moved to Oil Trough, AR so that Russ could begin the career of his dreams as a crop duster, working for H.T. Hankins Flying Service. Russ also enjoyed flying as a corporate pilot, but after 8 years returned to crop dusting. Then in 1981 Russ and Mary opened Amos Flying Service and he continued his AG flying career until retirement. When Russ wasn't flying, his time still evolved around aviation. He became an IA mechanic; flight instructor and he enjoyed rebuilding airplanes. In 2011 he received the Wright Brothers ''Master Pilot'' Award for 50 years of service to the aviation industry and in 2019 Russ was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
While Russ had an amazing career, he always cherished the relationships he built through aviation. He has given countless first rides, taught hundreds of people to fly and has mentored many throughout the years.
Russ was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene for many years. It would be Russ' desire for all to know the Jesus that he dearly loved and served and for all to be saved.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents; his loving son, Rusty and brother, Ronald Amos.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; sister, Patricia Cagle; brother, Earl (Carma) Amos. Russ is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to ''thank'' the loving care given by all of the care givers at Wood Lawn Heights and Caring Hands Hospice.
Pallbearers are Justin Amos, Troy Collins, Jason Barber, Drew Yoder, Randall Davis and David Cartwright.
Funeral services will begin at 10:00am Monday, September 23, 2024 at First Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00pm Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, Batesville or St. Jude's.
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42 Condolence(s)
Jamie Davidson
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Dear Mary, Russ will be missed by everyone who knew him. It has been my pleasure to know many great pilots and if I made a list, Russ would be at the very top. I hope you are doing ok. Praying for you.
Jerry and Dealonnia Cook
Monday, September 30, 2024
It is with deep regret that we read of this wonderful man’s passing to late to be there for the service. Russ told me many things about aviation and was a great mentor and friend. He even told me not to let this one go and it’s been 23 years of wedding bliss with Dealonnia. Even though he did scare her in her first ride in a Piper Cub. Mary our thoughts and prayers or with you during your time of lose and again we are sorry we were not able to be there.
Oscar Jones
Sunday, September 29, 2024
I was one of the hundreds that Russ taught to fly. Such a fine gentleman he was. He will surely be missed. Please accept my condolences.
Karen Jay
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Thank you for all the memories.
Greg
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Mary I was sorry to hear about Russ passing away. He was a dear family friend. I thought the world of him. He was a great pilot who I respected so much. I always enjoyed it when we bumped into each other at the Bald Knob air strip and were able to talk. He will be missed.
Greg Livesay
Kevin & Becky Watkins
Monday, September 23, 2024
Mary, I’m so sorry Kev & I weren’t able to make it Russ’ Service or Memorial, but we wanted you to know how sorry we were to hear about his passing. We love you guys & are so thankful we’ve had the opportunity to know you both. Russ was a guy that you vouldn’t help but love. He’s made such a difference in peoples eternity! He will be missed. Prayers for you.
Mathew & Wendy (Milligan) Browning
Monday, September 23, 2024
Ms. Mary,
I'm grasping for words. I'm so sorry that I couldn't be there today, but I am forever grateful that I was able to visit with Russ before I left Arkansas and while he was still in his element at the hangar. He's one of the greats that has left his mark on generations to come. His kindness, generosity, his limitless love for you, and that ornery streak of his will definitely be remembered by countless "kiddos" that he took under his wing. He taught us invaluable life lessons as well as flying, and he will always be in our hearts and on our minds every time that we "clear prop". Know that we are keeping you lifted continually in prayer and that we love you dearly.
Russ- I love you, ol man......we'll keep flying the plane until we meet again. Blue skies and tailwinds, my friend......
Cynthia Deaton Houlroyd
Monday, September 23, 2024
Mary, my heart and prayers are with you. I will never forget the 1st time I met you and Russ in Newport at church. I knew in my heart that you are both very special people and that feeling has remained. I cannot possibly imagine the depth of your loss, but I know my heart still tells me how special you both are, and I want you to know how precious you are to me. We are grieving with you and for you but with joy knowing Russ is in heaven. All my love, Cindi
Carl Hubler
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Mary I was sorry to hear Russ is passing. He was the last word at the airport. A very well thought of man.
Ewell W. Heath, CFI Ret.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Mary, I met you , Russ, and Rusty in early 1976. As you may remember I used your Cherokee for flight instructing. I always thought a lot of Russ and you and I am very sorry to hear of his passing. He was the most pleasant person to deal with and I will never forget his kindness.
Brent Gleghorn
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Mary I am so sorry, praying for your peace and comfort. You and Russ have been good friends to me for at least 50 years ,Russ will be missed so much by so many people.
Dale Shumate
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Will always cherish the times I got to spend with Russ
Jeff Livesay
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Really sorry to hear of Russ passing away, very well respected man among aerial applicators and long time friend of our family, he will be missed, my thoughts and prayers to his family
Tommy & Sarah Russell
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Mary: We are so sorry to for your loss. You and Russ had a big impact on my life. Russ taught me how to fly and you would take me to church and vacation bible school. You are in our prayers.
John Nichols
Saturday, September 21, 2024
I hate to hear this, Russ was an amazing man. He thought me how to fly and showed me a lot of things thru the years. A lot of times I went for the stories and to hang out with Russ even if we didn’t get much flying in because we always had a great time. Me and my wife always enjoyed the times we got to meet up with Russ and Mary for dinner, he will be missed.
Laura Martin
Saturday, September 21, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Amos was such a good man. Prayers for the family during this time
Nancy Croak Comer
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Mary we are praying for you. Russ was very special. Loved watching him fly. Daddy would stop on the side of the road when we knew it was Russ just to watch him.
Jim Koonce
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Mary, I’m so sorry to read of Russ’s passing. As you know, Russ and I go a long way back. When we were both student pilots in the 1950s, Russ was always an inspiration to me for his piloting skills and friendship. We spent many hours together with Lowell Wiley at the Air Force Aero Club, discussing our flying adventures and future in aviation. He was a true friend and it is an honor to have him in my memories. My prayers for Mary, family and his many friends. God bless.
Robin Goodwin
Saturday, September 21, 2024
It was a honor to know Russ.He was a heck of a guy & will be missed.Fly High Brother.
Paula Stewart
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Russ was a wonderful man. He loved his students and followed their successes. I loved watching him crop dust in the bi-wing plane, it seemed more graceful than the newer planes.
Lonnie Biggers
Friday, September 20, 2024
I was proud to know this man. RIP.
Jacob Clark
Friday, September 20, 2024
Famous Amos was how I looked up to him, he taught me how to fly and was an amazing friend and mentor with flying, if it had wings he could fly it! He told me a lots of funny stories on several cross country trips and give me lots of advice on flying over the years. He’s flying fighter jets in heaven now
Thinking of you Mrs Mary my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Kimberly Soto
Friday, September 20, 2024
I am sorry to hear of Uncle Russ passing. I loved the time I did get to spend with him when I was a little girl. Prayers are with you Aunt Mary.
Glenn Edwards
Friday, September 20, 2024
Russ flew our family to Houston, when we found out Chad had cancer. We went to MDA. We will never forget his kindness. We love your family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family .
Todd & Resa bolin
Friday, September 20, 2024
He was a very kind man. Some of the kids in the neighborhood called FA for Famous Amos.
Betty Burge Cockrill
Friday, September 20, 2024
Mary, I am so sorry to hear about Russ. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You two have always been a special couple.
Cindy Nelson
Friday, September 20, 2024
Bill thought the world of Russ. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Anne and Bill Luster
Friday, September 20, 2024
Russ was a fixture in our lives for years and we loved him dearly. He was a fine man. Three generations of Lusters learned to fly from him. Love and prayers for comfort for Mary.
Cheryl & Robert Del’Ve
Friday, September 20, 2024
Mary we are so sorry for your loss! We wish you comfort knowing he is with Jesus! He was a special man and boy did he know his airplanes!! He was a great pilot, teacher and role model to many.
Penny Mize Clayton
Friday, September 20, 2024
So sorry Mary.
I'm out of town but will be thinking and praying for you all.
Regina Weaver
Friday, September 20, 2024
Dear sweet Mary, I am sooo sorry to read this. Russ was one of the best of men around Batesville...he will truly be missed every day. I know that you have millions of memories to lean on, but if you need a shoulder, just holler! Just think of what a reunion it will be, and to see him trying on his new wings! Jesus may need to assign another angel to watch over Russ! Love you, and holding you up in my prayers...
Justin Thompson
Friday, September 20, 2024
We celebrate Russ' life and know he is having a big family reunion in heaven. For those of us left let us have comfort knowing where Russ is today and that we have a free ticket to join him if we believe in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Those Who Died In Christ
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB
13. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Charles F. Allen
Friday, September 20, 2024
Mary I recall how much time you two spent together. You were virtually inseparable. May all your wonderful memories comfort you during this heartbreaking time! Our thoughts and prayers are always with you!
Johnny Baxter
Friday, September 20, 2024
Peace.........jb
Samantha Herndon- Hogan
Friday, September 20, 2024
Mrs. Mary- words cannot tell you how much I love you guys. So many memories of you and Russ fill my childhood, and my adulthood. I know beyond a doubt he is with the Lord and Rusty, and what a day it will be when we're all reunited with those we've loved and lost. I am praying for you and will be calling to check in on you. My deepest condolences. We love you both!
DAVID D BOUTWELL
Friday, September 20, 2024
A very good man. He will be missed.
VIRGINIA J. CROAK
Friday, September 20, 2024
LOVE AND PRAYERS AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
Pat & Tom Jernigan
Friday, September 20, 2024
So sorry to hear about your loss of Russ. Prayers that God will carry you thru this heartache as he always carries us thru these difficult times.
Cori Torres
Friday, September 20, 2024
Love him very much! I’m proud to be related to him and he is missed dearly! I’m so grateful he knows the Lord and we shall meet again one day with Jesus as reigning King!
Mike Swango
Friday, September 20, 2024
We know you are in heaven praising the Lord. Put in a good word for us if you get a chance.
Norma Spence
Friday, September 20, 2024
So sorry for all his families & friends loss
Ina Lee Henley
Friday, September 20, 2024
Mary, I am so sorry about Russ. He made such an impact on Mark's love of airplanes. I think he took Mark on his first airplane ride...he loved both of you. I always felt calm when I knew he was with Russ...thank you ...keep the good memories....from Ina Lee, Mark and Mary Henley