Jimmy Louis Amicone

As the sun was getting ready to set on a hot Texas evening, James (Jimmy) Louis Amicone, was called by his Savior, Jesus Christ, to put the Silver Eagle into overdrive, to begin his final trip to reach heaven. Jim was born to Vincent Paul and Mary Moroni Amicone on July 21, 1933, in the village of Roswell, Ohio. Roswell was a mecca of 23 operating coal mines. Life was anything but easy. Starting at the age of 9, Jim walked daily to deliver milk and newspapers to local residents. At 13 he began to caddy at the local union country club. With his mother’s rock foundation of God, family, and hard work, the steppingstones were set to begin life’s goals. While in Denison High School and Xavier University he began working to provide for his family. He worked in the clay products industry, steel mills, was a teamster loading trucks, and the Ford Motor Company Transmission Plant.

In 1953, college was interrupted by the draft. While stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, Jim made a side trip with some buddies to Ft. Stockton, Texas where he met LaJuana Mai Swafford. They married in 1955 and became parents to 6 children. He completed college in 1958 and began working for an investment firm. But his goal was to be a teacher and a coach. He achieved that goal in August of 1962, when he began a 9-year teaching and coaching profession at Holy Cross High School. His coaching love was baseball, and the 1968 Holy Cross team won the TCIL State Championship.

He moved on from that profession and began his last, a driver for Trailways Bus Company. He worked the extra board which allowed him to take charter groups into 49 of the 50 states, and from Alberta to Nova Scotia. Many times, the family would travel with him, and happy memories were a blessing. For the blue-collar worker, life was good, educational, informative, with the added blessing of witnessing God’s beauty while traveling throughout the United States and Canada.

Married for 50 years, his wife LaJuana passed away in 2005. Another person was also grieving the loss of a 50-year marriage. Marjorie Ann Collins Whitley sent him a letter of condolence. They knew each other from the charter bus trips in earlier years and began to communicate back and forth. After long discussions and some deep conversations with each other and each of their children, Jim and Marjorie married May 5, 2006, at the Chapel of Holy Cross High School. They enjoyed many travels to Europe, most of the Caribbean Islands, the Panama Canal, Russia and Cuba. They also visited the only state he had not visited while driving a bus, Hawaii.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents: Vincent and Mary, his wife LaJuana, and his son Dennis Jack Amicone. Survivors include his brother Albert (Doris) Amicone. His wife, Marjorie Whitley. Children: Lanni (John) Brown, Vincent Amicone, Melvin (Christine) Amicone, Gregory (Deana) Amicone, and Jorji (Tim) Hunnicutt. Three stepchildren: Susan Whitley, Bruce (Glenda) Whitley and Dianna (Benny) Alexander.15 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

A solemn interment will take place at the hollowed grounds of Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Pavilion #1 at 11:00 am July 23, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Holy Cross High School, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.