Ernest Roy Amo

Deacon Ernest “Roy” Amo, 85, of San Antonio, Texas – a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, and faithful servant of God and country, passed away peacefully the morning of July 18, 2025, after a brief stay at the Vitas Inpatient Hospice Unit following complications of major spinal surgery.

Roy was born on January 5, 1940, in Watertown, New York; the second child of parents Roy and Leota Amo (siblings, Clarence Amo, deceased, and Sally (Amo) Smith). Following his mother’s death in 1953, he moved to Queens, New York, to live with his Aunt Lila Barton and her husband Joe. He graduated from Long Island City High School in 1958, then joined the United States Air Force as a means to serve his country and further his education. Following two years of military service, he resumed civilian life in New York, working at Chemical Bank as a Stocks and Bonds Clerk. It was here he met and fell in love with Patricia Kenny, whom he would later marry. Roy reenlisted and continued his service to the United States Air Force through his retirement in 1991. His military career took him around the globe, including assignments in England, Thailand, Italy, Germany, and numerous locations throughout the United States. He rose through the ranks to achieve the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Roy embraced a second calling to ministry. He was ordained as a permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of San Antonio in September 1996. He served faithfully at St. Brigid Catholic Church, becoming a pillar of the Parish community. Roy led numerous ministries, spiritual programs, and faith groups – many of which continue today. Roy also served as a volunteer ALS and Hospice chaplain, visited regularly with a group of retired nuns, and befriended nursing home residents who had no family or other regular visitors. One resident, David Garcia, became an adopted family member. Roy introduced him to the extended parish family, making David’s final years more full of love, joy, support, and friendship than he could have imagined. Even after Roy’s formal retirement as a deacon three years ago, he remained deeply involved in parish life and service.

Roy is survived by his wife, Patrica Amo, his daughter, Mary (Amo) Cole, her husband, Robert Cole Jr., their children, Aria Cole, and her partner, Thomas Martinez, Elena (Cole) Myers and her husband, Evan Myers, and Robert Cole, III.

His son, Sean Amo, and his partner, Holly Nevlud, Sean’s children, Hannah Amo-Perez and her wife, Bee Amo-Perez, William Amo, his wife, Torri Amo, and their daughter Gracelynn Amo and Lilah Amo.

His sister, Sally (Amo) Smith.

Roy’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched – with a handshake, a prayer, a word of wisdom, or a little Jesus for your pocket. His quiet strength, gentle humor, steadfast presence, world-class lasagna, goulash, and cowboy cookies will be dearly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 6907 Kitchener St, San Antonio, TX 78240

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am

Followed by the Rosary and Funeral Mass at 10:00 am

Interment with full military honors will follow at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery.

A reception will be held at St. Brigid immediately following the committal.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice.