John Delaney Amos of Watkinsville died suddenly and peacefully on Monday, April 16. He was one week past his 79th birthday.
John is survived by his wife Jane Yardley Amos of Watkinsville, his son John Ellison Amos III (Alex) of Ft. Lauderdale, daughter Jane Sullivan Amos Hurley (Jim) of Darien CT, daughter Emily Page Murray (Kirby) of Watkinsville, sister Mary Johnston Amos of Charlottesville VA, seven wonderful grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews of whom he was most fond, and his dog.
He was born and raised in Charleston, WV, son of John Ellison Amos and Edith Johnston Amos. He graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria VA, attended Washington and Lee University, and received his law degree from West Virginia University. He practiced law for a decade but found that he broke out in hives in a law library. Through business associates he purchased some property with a defunct nursery in rural West Virginia. Little Kanawha Nursery became his business which he pursued successfully for 27 years, propagating, growing, and selling rhododendrons and azaleas in containers. He always claimed that he knew little about plants and might as well have been selling widgets. The book The Egg and I gives an accurate description of what establishing a seat-of-the-pants business was like for John.
The game of squash was one of the delights of John’s life: he always said that he was happiest when chasing a ball around. He was a nationally ranked singles player and, the highlight of his squash career, won the World Doubles Squash Championship, an age-division squash tournament with his dear friend and partner Don Mills at age 65. He delighted in entertaining his grandchildren with his exploits known to them as The Story of the Day. WVU football and men’s basketball were a daily obsession. His scroll saw skills were amazing and he was so proud of the many custom jigsaw puzzles he made for friends and customers. He was famous for his barbecued ribs and for his love of all things cheese.
A service in his honor will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday April 28th at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Prince Avenue in Athens with a reception following in the parish hall. The family requests no flowers but donations to Emmanuel are most welcome.

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