Robert T. Amos, Jr.
Whereas, Robert T. Amos, Jr. was born July 24th, 1922 and was the oldest son of the late Robert Thomas Amos and Charlotte McMichael Amos; and
Whereas, he graduated with honors from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He then attended Davidson College where he was president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, a senior senator, a member of the ODK Leadership Fraternity, the Blade and Scabbard Military Fraternity and the varsity football team. He remained involved over the years with Davidson College as a Trustee, President of the National Alumni Association and was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award; and
Whereas, he interrupted his college years by enlisting in the United States Army infantry. He served 44 months of active duty and fought two years in the European Theatre of Operations rising to the rank of Captain with the 100th Infantry Division. He was leader who cared deeply for the men in his command and he was awarded the Bronze Star with clusters for his heroism under fire during the Battle of the Bulge; and
Whereas, he worked in the hosiery industry for almost fifty years, retiring as President of Amos Hosiery Mills when the company was sold in 1988. He was very active in the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He held a deep and abiding affection for the Amos Hosiery Mills family of employees and he maintained and cherished those relationships throughout his life; and
Whereas, he was involved with many local community organizations, he served as a two-term president of the High Point Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the United Way of Greater High Point, Chairman of the Haggai Foundation, and Chairman of the High Point Historical society. He was a member of the High Point Bank Board of Trustees for 43 years and served as its Chairman. He was also very integral in the success of the High Point Regional Heath System where he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Co-Chairman of two building campaigns. In addition, he as a founding member of the Hospital Endowment Board, one of High Point's premier endowments and leadership groups; and
Whereas, he was Trustee for Life at High Point University and served as a Trustee of Greensboro College. He was a Trustee of the Methodist Children's Home in Winston-Salem and a Trustee of the Evergreens Polio Hospital in Greensboro by appointment of the Governor of North Carolina. He had a life-long love and passion for the YMCA of High Point, serving as its Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chairman of two building campaigns for the new YMCA. He was inducted into the YMCA Hall of Honor in 1987. He provided key leadership for the Hospice of Piedmont where he served on its Board of Trustees. He felt privileged to serve along side of his friend Jim Millis as Co-Chairman, in what would be their last fundraising campaign together for the new Hospice Home of High Point. He was recognized for his love and service to the community of High Point when he was selected "Citizen of the Year" and the High Point Chamber of Commerce "Distinguished Citizen of the Year."
Whereas, he was a devoted and loving husband to his gracious wife, Martha, with whom he was married to 56 years. Together they raised a family, partnered in their community philanthropy, cared for their employees and sustained a love affair and friendship that spanned over a half a century. He was an involved and caring Father to his son, Robert Thomas Amos III and his wife Laura, his daughter Carolyn Amos Yokley and her husband, John, and his daughter Mary Amos Krick and her husband, Michael. He cherished his eight grandchildren; Martha Avery Cook, Mary Katherine Cook, Thomas Ross Cook, Katharine Hayden Amos, Robert Thomas Amos IV, Charles Connor Amos, Martha Amos Krick and Emily Chambers Krick.; and
Whereas, he shared a deep and abiding friendship with his "blood-brother" Jim Millis, Sr. with whom he attended school, grew and matured as young Boy Scouts wherein they nurtured and sustained the Eternal Flame of the Boy Scouts of America, shared the trials and tribulations of the Second World War, enjoyed laboring in the hosiery industry, and together supported one other as friends and confidants as they journeyed through the seasons of life; and
Whereas, he was a humble man who found his strength and sustenance in his faith in the power of the Cross and he strove to walk by "faith and not by sight" as he followed in the footsteps of his savior Jesus Christ. He lived a life of quiet, but indomitable faith that ultimately enabled him to run the "good race" and acquit himself with courage, grace, and honor in the final chapter of his life; and
Whereas, he was a member of the inaugural Board of Trustees of the High Point Community Foundation on which he played a crucial role as an advocate, supporter, and counselor in the critical early years of the organization. He and Martha will always be remembered as champions of the Foundation's mission and true friends of the High Point Community who will be forever remembered and appreciated by future generations to come.