Linda Kay Amos

Linda Kay Amos, 85, passed away August 9, 2026 in Missouri City, Texas. Her life was dedicated to service in the nursing profession, improving the lives of others serving in many roles throughout her career. She touched countless lives with her wisdom, her willingness to mentor and encourage others, always ready to offer sound advice and lend a helping hand.

Linda was born in Findlay, Ohio in 1940 to Blond and Dorotha (Brinkman) Amos. Linda was raised on a farm in Van Buren where she helped with the animals, driving tractor, raising vegetables and caring for her siblings. Never one to be idle, she won state horticultural awards for the local 4H, composed concertos and competed musically singing and on her saxophone at the state level. She started her academic journey at Ohio State University, earning both her Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Nursing.

Linda chose to move west and taught medical surgical nursing at the University of New Mexico where she also worked at the Bernalillo County Indian Hospital summers. She felt that through teaching she could serve more people and so she continued her distinguished career at Boston University with an earned Doctorate in Education specializing in Systems Development and Adaptation, with a minor in Political Science. Her passion for nursing education and administration flourished as she was appointed dean of the school in 1974, paving the way for her impactful leadership in the field and was later inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). Linda served 6 years before the University of Utah President persuaded her to move west again.

She accepted the position of Dean at the University of Utah College of Nursing in 1980, where for the next two decades she became nationally recognized as a trailblazing leader in nursing education. Establishing new graduate specialty programs and distance learning for students in rural communities and internationally, as well as centers for Gerontology and Women’s Health and Birthing Services, her stewardship catalyzed initiatives that resulted in the highest percentages of diverse student enrollment in the college’s history. Serving five years as Associate Vice President for Health Sciences, she was in charge of the security for the Olympic Village when the Olympics was in Salt Lake City, and also helped build several additional buildings to the hospital and university.

While at Utah, Linda served two years as president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); chaired the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), developing accreditation standards for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education that were implemented two years later by the U.S. Department of Education —the first significant change in nursing accreditation in 70 years. Linda wanted to make a difference in the quality of life and work for her students, faculty and staff. Her legacy endures in the countless lives improved through her work as a champion for women in higher education and she will be remembered as a loving and fun sister, aunt and friend to all her family and friends.

She retired to Athens, Texas in 2000 where she was active in the Family Peace Project, and wrote grants to bring in money to run the program. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship and continued painting in watercolors to the end of her life. She was devoted to her family and will be missed by her family in Texas, where she is survived by her sister Marita Amos Pratt, niece Danielle (Jesse) Hester, and nephew Tyler Pratt, as well as great-niece and nephews Lily, Lincoln and Luke. Linda will also be missed by her nieces and nephews Tina (Trent) Tate, Jim (Donna) Amos, Joan Bush and Jason Amos in Ohio, and Melaney (Edmund) O’Carroll and Craig (Jackie) Amos in Florida, as well as great-nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers C. Lynn Amos and Ray Eugene Amos.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Brandani’s Restaurant in Missouri City, Texas, Friday, September 11th, 3:00 - 5:00pm. Family and friends are invited to gather to honor Linda’s memory and celebrate a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Professional Nursing Scholarship via the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Donations may be made online or by check; the link to donation page is https://www.aacnnursing.org/foundation/donate/guest-donation.

Please indicate the gift is in memory of Linda K. Amos.