Views of the Neighborhood – Saying Goodbye

~ John W. Howell

Tony Amos

Tony Amos rescuing an Atlantic Bottle Nosed Dolphin.

On September 4th, 2017 Tony Amos at eighty years young left this Earth for another of God’s assignments.

To quote the Corpus Christi Caller Sun-Times, “Amos, who was born and raised in England, began his life’s work of rescuing and rehabilitating sick, stranded and injured sea turtles, marine mammals and birds began in 1979 after the Ixtoc I oil spill in the Bay of Campeche.

He arrived in the Coastal Bend shortly before the spill after accepting a job as an oceanographer at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas.

 Since then his rescue work included endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtles, piping plovers, red knots, brown pelicans and, at times, bald eagles. He came into contact with more than 5,000 sea turtles and more than 15,000 birds.”
Tony Amos
Here is a shot of Tony releasing a Green Turtle

Tony Amos

A picture of Tony at his last auction. He held an auction each year of off the beach finds to raise money for the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARC)

Yesterday Port Aransas said goodbye to Tony in the most fitting way possible. His remains were carried out to sea by one of his beloved turtles from the beach named after him.

Tony Amos

Here is the sign honoring Tony.

A lot of people gathered.

Tony’s ashes were sprinkled on the turtles back, and the turtle aimed toward the sea.

As if Tony was cheering him on, the turtle went toward the water.

Getting closer.

A final plunge and we said goodbye to the rehabilitated turtle and Tony

I think Tony enjoyed the whole thing. It was his kind of event

The sunset put a beautiful finish on the memorial.

64 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Saying Goodbye”

  4. What a beautiful account of a life well lived! Creatures big and small filled his heart, and they offered theirs to him. Thank you for sharing this lovely testimony. 😊

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  11. Reblogged this on Siân Glírdan and commented:
    Beautiful tribute from John for a beautiful, inspirational person – Tony Amos who went on his well-deserved, final and wondrous voyage of discovery, carried on the back of one of the turtles he rescued 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  16. This is a very moving post, John. As others said above – a most fitting send-off for a man who cared and selflessly gave of himself to save imperiled wildlife. Thanks, John.

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  19. Oh, I was hoping you would attend. Your post was a fine tribute to this special man who adopted our coast. He always supported public radio through KEDT and would come on for the annual pledge drive. How very fitting to be take out to sea. Thanks for being there and sharing the photos.

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  23. John, what a nice tribute to this man (who died on my birthday!). Rescuing helpless critters sounds like a worthwhile cause to me. Glad so many folks turned out to pay their final respects.

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