Meet Amos Thompson
Amos Franklin Thompson (known to some as “Famous Amos”) has come to live with us at Caring House. We are honored.
Amos was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the third of three children to Franklin B. and Jennie K. Thompson. He was raised in Cedar Rapids where he attending Wilson High School.
As a youth his favorite activities were wrestling and swimming. Amos swam one mile across the Mississippi River at 17 years old. He finished the crossing 4 miles downstream before reaching the opposite bank. It took him 4 hours to make the crossing.
Amos was also an Emcee at many of the high school events from 1936-1940.
Amos met his future wife Virginia at a high school dance. They were married in September, 1941.
Their young marriage was put on hold when he joined the army in 1943, serving to 1946. Amos was a member of the 305th Regimental Combat Team, 77th Infantry Division. He fought in the Pacific campaigns in the Philippines, Gulf of Leyte and the Battle of Okinawa, often described as the bloodiest battle in the Pacific.
After the war, Amos and Virginia moved to the Los Angeles area, settling in the South Bay. They first lived in Hawthorne, later moving to Rancho Palos Verdes.
He worked as a brick layer then became a mason contractor.
Amos has had many creative outlets – woodworking, woodturning, leaded glass work, in addition to masonry. He built a large stone cabin in Big Bear, CA and named it the Corner Stone. He loves to teach woodturning on his lathe and helping others with general woodworking projects.
Amos has enjoyed golf and traveling as well as working with the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts. Many have benefited from his generous sharing of his talents.
Amos and Virginia have four children (Gary, Curtis, Valerie and Eric), six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Amos is known for taking on challenges and not stopping until successful.
We are glad Amos is with us at Caring House. We look forward to caring for this talented, creative veteran, husband and father.
In Memoriam
Amos died on June 2, 2019. Honor him. Remember him.
Thomas Yokas
May 21, 2019 @ 5:30 pm
Amos…a hero…mentor…father in law…roll model…educator…grandfather to my children…and great grand father to my grand children…it is an honor to know him as a guide in life and the artist to success…take care my idol….Your knowledge shared with me is applied daily….Thank you for your guidance and patience…
Thomas Yokas
June 4, 2019 @ 9:00 am
Amos has passed…He now resides with his Band of Brothers…and his loved ones who proceeded him across the bridge, many have waited for him on the other side including his beautiful daughter Valerie…Those of us on this side who were honored to know him were truly blessed by his presence…May his memory be eternal…
Gary Thompson
June 13, 2019 @ 3:21 pm
Dad was a very giving person who freely gave his time, talents and treasure to his friends, neighbors and family. If dad found out that you had a project or something to repair, he was the first one to offer help. From him, I’ve learned the importance of volunteering and being a good Samaritan.
Dad was a very friendly, patient and positive person who was at ease talking with anyone. He often told humorous stories to entertain us. There was always laughter, love, and good times when we were around him. He had a lot of common sense, good judgement and taught others by example.
He found the best in others and gave the best he had to everyone. He leaves a lasting legacy of success and a life well lived. Dad will forever be in my heart.