Views of the Neighborhood – Saying Goodbye

October 1, 2017 · by John W. Howell · in Views of the Neighborhood · 64 Comments

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.”

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.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Family Fiction, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, thriller fiction, Views of the Neighborhood

64 comments

Keith Channing · October 1, 2017 - 4:04 am ·

A very fitting, and doubtless moving tribute, John

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:20 am ·
  
  It was, Keith. Thank you. 🙂
  
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. · October 1, 2017 - 4:32 am ·

What an amazing man John and a wonderful tribute.. xxxx

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:19 am ·
  
  Thank you, Sally. He was a rare person. He loved all creatures big and small.
  
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  1. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. · October 1, 2017 - 8:22 am ·
    
    He sounds like a man you would want as a friend. xxx
    
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    1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 9:45 am ·
      
      And a Brit on top of it.
      
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Steve Boseley · October 1, 2017 - 5:24 am ·

Sounds like an amazing man and a brilliant choice for his send off.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:18 am ·
  
  It was perfect, Steve. Thank you. 🙂
  
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Gwen Plano · October 1, 2017 - 5:47 am ·

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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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:18 am ·
  
  Thank you, Gwen. I think you have isolated the essence of the man. 🙂
  
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Fictionophile · October 1, 2017 - 6:01 am ·

A lovely and well documented tribute to what sounds like an amazing man.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:14 am ·
  
  He was amazing and gone too soon. Thank you.
  
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Jill Weatherholt · October 1, 2017 - 6:30 am ·

I can’t recall a more perfect tribute, John. Thank you for sharing with us.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:14 am ·
  
  Thank you , Jill. It was special evening.
  
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umashankar · October 1, 2017 - 6:33 am ·

That is a special tribute to a special man. The final lap atop the back of the tortoise for the rendezvous with ocean was touching.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:12 am ·
  
  There wasn’t a dry eye. Thanks.
  
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patriciaruthsusan · October 1, 2017 - 6:54 am ·

The last part of his life was spent in giving back to nature and it was a most fitting tribute to him, John. It was just lovely. —- Suzanne

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:12 am ·
  
  Thank you, Suzanne.
  
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Dan Antion · October 1, 2017 - 6:58 am ·

A fitting end to a life’s work. The world needs people like Tony. Thanks for sharing this, John. Your little corner of the planet seems to have an amazing spirit.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:11 am ·
  
  You are so right, Dan. The spirit shines every day. Thanks. 😀
  
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Teri Polen · October 1, 2017 - 7:53 am ·

Perfect – a wonderful tribute.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 8:10 am ·
  
  Thank you, Teri. He was quite a guy.
  
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Jan Hawke · October 1, 2017 - 8:28 am ·

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 😀

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 9:43 am ·
  
  Thank you, Jan. You have captured the sentiment so well.
  
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Teagan R. Geneviene · October 1, 2017 - 8:30 am ·

John, what a touching, beautiful tribute. The bit about the turtle was superb. I was moved to tears. (While an animal easily has that effect on me, it’s not usual for a human.)
Hugs on the wing.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 9:42 am ·
  
  I know what you mean Teagan. Most at the service were also moved to tears. 🙂
  
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Charles Yallowitz · October 1, 2017 - 8:49 am ·

That was a beautiful tribute.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 9:41 am ·
  
  Thanks, Charles. 🙂
  
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kethuprofumo · October 1, 2017 - 8:58 am ·

Wonderful man! Thank you, dear John! It’s very encouraging to know that humans still care of nature! 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 9:41 am ·
  
  yes it is Maria. Thanks.
  
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  1. kethuprofumo · October 1, 2017 - 10:15 am ·
    
    🙂
    
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rijanjks · October 1, 2017 - 9:58 am ·

Wow! Just wow! What an amazing and inspiring man.

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John Fioravanti · October 1, 2017 - 10:14 am ·

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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John Fioravanti · October 1, 2017 - 10:16 am ·

Reblogged this on Words To Captivate ~ by John Fioravanti and commented:
Saying goodbye to Tony Amos – a pictorial account by author John W. Howell. Please, read on…

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Almost Iowa · October 1, 2017 - 10:16 am ·

A fabulous tribute and a fitting end for Tony.

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The Coastal Crone · October 1, 2017 - 11:04 am ·

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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Pit · October 1, 2017 - 12:39 pm ·

What a fitting way to be put to eternal rest!
Thansk for sharing this story, John, and have a great Sunday,
Pit

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 2:52 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Pit.
  
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  1. Pit · October 2, 2017 - 10:50 am ·
    
    🙂
    
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coldhandboyack · October 1, 2017 - 1:21 pm ·

Morbidly cool.

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D.L Finn, Author · October 1, 2017 - 1:27 pm ·

Beautiful tribut–he sounds like an amazing man!

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 2:50 pm ·
  
  He was, DL. Thank you.
  
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Debbie · October 1, 2017 - 1:41 pm ·

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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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 2:50 pm ·
  
  The crowd grew quite a bit.
  
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Phillip McCollum · October 1, 2017 - 2:47 pm ·

Some people live on by their good deeds. Great tribute, John.

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1. John W. Howell · October 1, 2017 - 2:49 pm ·
  
  So true, Phillip. Thanks.
  
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noelleg44 · October 1, 2017 - 8:23 pm ·

What a lovely human being! I hope there were a lot of animals to greet him in heaven.
Just finished MY GRL – great read.

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1. John W. Howell · October 2, 2017 - 7:52 am ·
  
  Thank you, Noelle. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
  
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  1. noelleg44 · October 2, 2017 - 8:45 am ·
    
    Hope top get a review out at some point…
    
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    1. John W. Howell · October 2, 2017 - 9:05 am ·
      
      Would love that. Thanks.
      
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macjam47 · October 1, 2017 - 9:12 pm ·

Tony must have been an amazing man. What a lovely and fitting tribute to him.

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1. John W. Howell · October 2, 2017 - 7:52 am ·
  
  Thank you, Michelle.
  
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aFrankAngle · October 1, 2017 - 9:56 pm ·

Awesome tribute there and on this page.

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1. John W. Howell · October 2, 2017 - 8:00 am ·
  
  Thanks, Frank
  
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Cynthia Reyes · October 2, 2017 - 8:56 am ·

What a lovely memorial, John. On one of “God’s assignments” indeed.

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1. John W. Howell · October 2, 2017 - 9:05 am ·
  
  Thank you, Cynthia. 🙂
  
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Lynn · October 2, 2017 - 10:46 am ·

Oh my gosh, what an absolutely perfect way to pay homage to this incredible man. Thank you so much for sharing John!

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1. John W. Howell · October 2, 2017 - 11:16 am ·
  
  Thank you, Lynn.
  
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Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister · October 2, 2017 - 9:10 pm ·

He’s so inspiring, as is this tribute and memorial, John.

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1. John W. Howell · October 3, 2017 - 7:45 am ·
  
  🙂
  
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circadianreflections · October 3, 2017 - 7:43 am ·

This is a beautiful tribute to him. What a remarkable man he was.

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1. John W. Howell · October 3, 2017 - 6:13 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Deborah. He was remarkable.
  
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Hugh's Views and News · October 6, 2017 - 11:07 am ·

What an amazing post and story, John. I’m sure Tony will have been looking down and smiling. A wonderful way for his ashes to be scattered. Thanks for sharing his story, and for your story of the day.

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1. John W. Howell · October 6, 2017 - 12:02 pm ·
  
  Thank you for the nice word, Hugh
  
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